“In terms of participation, at a national level, around 90% of the workforce took part. The workers from the temporary employment agencies were the ones who got the machinery running. People without technical qualifications were doing the boarding and aviation safety was completely compromised”, SIMA director Carlos Oliveira told Lusa.

Carlos Oliveira also criticized the stance of the handling company (ground assistance) during this strike, reporting the existence of workers working two shifts or threats so that the service would not be affected by the strike.

“We have returned to the times of Salazar. The threats to employees of temporary employment agencies were at the level of the PIDE and I have proof. The pressure from Menzies was frightening and unprecedented in 30 years”, he said, adding: “The legal departments of the unions will take legal action against the companies and we have the necessary grounds to file criminal proceedings and contact the Public Prosecutor’s Office”.

The workers of the handling company called for a two-day strike at the airports of Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, and Porto Santo.

The information provided by SIMA was denied by an official source from Menzies, who assured that “there was no threat or coercion of the workers” and thanked “the professionalism” of those who allowed a strike without impacting operations at the airports.

"The strike participation was low and there were no cancellations or operational irregularities. We reorganized the teams and there are no constraints. Safety is a key value for Menzies,” the same source told Lusa.

According to the union leader, 15 flights were also cancelled on Sunday and “five or six” on Saturday, in addition to the impact on baggage transportation.

However, an official source at Menzies stressed that there were “zero cancellations” of flights due to the strike and did not acknowledge the complaints about possible failures in the handling of passengers' luggage.