Workers at Menzies, formerly Groundforce, began the second four-day strike today, of a total of five stoppages scheduled for the summer, peak tourist season, with the company and the union exchanging accusations of unwillingness to engage in dialogue.

According to information available on the ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal website, TAP flights have been cancelled for today.

The strikes were called by the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) and the Transport Union (ST), demanding an end to basic wages below the national minimum wage, better wages, and compliance with night shift pay, among other demands. This second strike, which began at midnight today, ends at midnight on Monday.

The first strike by ground handling workers, between July 25th and 28th, led to the cancellation of several dozen flights at Lisbon Airport, delays, and instances where planes departed with only passengers, without baggage or cargo, according to the union.

For this strike, André Silva, a SIMA spokesperson, told Lusa that he expects a similar impact.

Stoppages are scheduled until the last weekend of this month, on all days between August 15th and 18th, August 22nd and 25th, and August 29th and September 1st.