With losses of €85.1 million this year and longed-for privatisation already certain to yield the country zero in the way of profits, TAP is once again locked in a bitter wrangle with its staff. This time, it is the pilots’ union SPAC that is threatening strike action. It is a threat that is “already having a negative impact” on the tourism industry, reports Público this morning – and stems from a breakdown in negotiations that have been ongoing since December – when pilots agreed to delay a strike planned for the Christmas holiday period.
As pilots are due to meet today (Wednesday) at 2pm to decide whether or not to go ahead with their action, myriad appeals have gone out to them to “use good sense and ponderation”.
TAP’s beleaguered president, Fernando Pinto, has even sent out another of his letters accusing pilots of putting the airline’s future at risk with their “incomprehensible accusations”.
A strike, says Pinto, would be “disastrous for the credibility” of the national airline.
Contacted for a comment, SPAC is staying mum.
All eyes now are on what its members will decide this afternoon in Lisbon. Their meeting has been called for 2pm.
