In a statement to Lusa news agency, Carlos Araújo, leader of the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA), also highlighted the "increasing number of flights departing without baggage."

"This literally creates a mountain of accumulated baggage to process," he maintained.

The current strike, called by SIMA and the Transport Union (ST), began at midnight on Friday and continues until midnight on Monday.

This is the first of five four-day strikes scheduled for weekends through early September. In August, the strike periods are scheduled for August 8-11, 15-18, 22-25, and 29 August until September 1.

Among the workers' demands are an end to base wages below the national minimum wage, payment for night shifts, better wage conditions, and the maintenance of parking access under the same conditions as before.

The union also accuses SPdH/Menzies of "flagrantly violating the right to strike" in an attempt to "neutralize the effects of the strike," resorting to "illegal practices" such as "forced shift advancement and calling in workers on days off," "replacing strikers with workers from temporary employment agencies," and "abusive shift reorganization."

“SIMA is collecting evidence of these illegalities and will file formal complaints with the Working Conditions Authority (ACT) and the Public Prosecutor's Office, demanding that the Menzies/SPdH directors be held accountable,” it said in a statement on Saturday.