Cabin crew at easyJet in Portugal began a five-day strike on 2 October. Up to 500 flights could be affected.
Read on to find out what the crew want and what easyJet is doing.
The strike started on Friday 2 October. It continues until Tuesday 6 October. A union called SNPVAC represents the easyJet cabin crew in Portugal. The cabin crew are the staff who look after passengers on the plane. The union called the strike.
The strike affects three airports. They are Lisbon, Porto and Faro. Up to 500 flights could be cancelled. Many of these flights go between Portugal and other countries in Europe. A strike like this can change the travel plans of thousands of people. Some passengers may need to wait for a new flight. Others may need to find another way to travel.
The crew say they are not happy about pay. They say easyJet pays them less than other airlines in Portugal. The union also says easyJet pays Portuguese crew less than it pays crew in other countries. They also complain about their work schedule. A schedule is a plan that shows when a person works. The union says easyJet often changes the crew’s schedule at short notice. The crew say there are not enough staff, so they must work extra hours.
easyJet says it is “extremely disappointed” about the strike. The airline says it wants to keep talking with the union. It also cancelled some flights early. This lets passengers plan a new trip before they go to the airport.
The strike comes at a busy time. Monday 5 October is Republic Day in Portugal, and many people travel on the holiday weekend.
This is not the last strike. The union also plans a second strike from 19 to 23 December. That is just before Christmas. Euronews reported the plans in September.
Passengers should check their flight before they leave home. They should also look for news from the airline. When an airline cancels a flight, it must offer a new flight or the money back.
Check your understanding
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Which three airports does the strike affect?
The article says: ‘The strike affects three airports. They are Lisbon, Porto and Faro.’
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True or false: the October strike is the only strike the union plans this year.
The article says the union also plans a second strike from 19 to 23 December.
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Why most likely did easyJet cancel some flights early?
The article says early cancellations let passengers plan a new trip before they go to the airport.
- strike (noun) – a time when workers stop work because they want better pay or conditions. Typical use: “The strike started on Friday 2 October.”
- union (noun) – a group that speaks for workers and talks to their company. Typical use: “The union called the strike.”
- cabin crew (noun) – the staff who look after passengers during a flight. Typical use: “A union called SNPVAC represents the easyJet cabin crew in Portugal.”
- schedule (noun) – a plan that shows when you work. Typical use: “The union says easyJet often changes the crew’s schedule at short notice.”
Another airline strike ended quickly this month: Icelandair mechanics went back to work after only one morning.
