Ryanair's cabin crew based in Portugal decided on Thursday to call a three-day strike in the last two weeks of March and again in the first half of April, due to "business practices that seriously undermine workers' rights.”In a general meeting held in Lisbon this Thursday, Ryanair employees agreed formally to advise the National Civil Aviation Flight Crew (SNPVAC) syndicate to register the strike days “if there is no immediate and substantial change in business practices that seriously undermine the rights of cabin crew."
The formerly low-cost airline is accused of not complying with Portuguese labour legislation and condoning deteriorating working conditions over recent years, one example being, "increased bullying, abusive disciplinary processes, psychological conditioning of crew members, threats of basic transfer in case of non-compliance with sales targets and total disrespect for Portuguese parenting laws - the work environment in the company is unsustainable for cabin crews."
SNPVAC (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil) also criticises the carrier for paying staff under the legal minimum, using short-term contracts for up to ten years and a refusal to treat crew members with the "minimum of respect and human dignity required by any company operating in Portugal."
After "every possible effort to resolve the conflict with the company in a peaceful manner," the members decided that SNPVAC, in addition to calling a strike, should "continue to make every effort with Ryanair and other national entities to ensure full compliance with Portuguese constitutional and labour law."
Ryanair also should be required to make a "full commitment to put an end to the culture of bullying and excessive pressure on its crew," reads the saddening document.
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