Menzies Aviation's workforce calls for fair compensation and alleges the firm's non-compliance with legal wages standards.
Menzies Aviation, previously known as GroundForce, is currently embroiled in a dispute with its workers over a range of issues related to wages, working conditions, and employment agreements.
The heart of the matter lies in the workers' allegations that their base salaries are below the national minimum wage in Portugal. They are demanding that these wages be adjusted to meet or exceed the legal minimum.
Moreover, disputes include demands for proper compensation for night shifts and unsocial hours, which workers claim have not been paid according to prior agreements.
Workers also want adherence to a memorandum of understanding made during Menzies' acquisition of Groundforce. This includes continued access to employee parking and a commitment to salary increases through 2026.
Over €2.5 million in back pay owed to workers remains unpaid, according to workers and the union, fueling the strikes.
These disputes have resulted in a series of planned strikes at Portuguese airports from late July through August 2025. These strikes are affecting ground operations such as check-in, baggage handling, and aircraft servicing during a peak travel period.
Delays and flight cancellations, especially in Lisbon, may occur due to the strike. The impact on airports may be moderate, but the unpredictable participation in the strike makes it challenging to assess the extent of disruption.
The strikes are not limited to a single day, but are four-day long events. The workers are conducting a series of five weekend strikes until early September.
A related dispute involving Menzies workers in Glasgow has been recently resolved with negotiated pay increases (4%-10%), but the Portuguese labor issues remain active into summer 2025.
In summary, Menzies Aviation’s ground workers are contesting low wages below national minimum standards, unpaid overtime and night shift premiums, unfulfilled employment agreements, and nonpayment of owed compensation, which have prompted labor strikes affecting airport operations in Portugal. These disputes are part of broader industry tensions involving post-takeover employment terms and working conditions.
- The finance sector, specifically banking and insurance, should take notice of the ongoing workplace-wellness struggles in the health-and-science industry, as Menzies Aviation's ground workers are demanding fair wages and working conditions, highlighting the need for a comprehensive review of these issues within companies across multiple industries.
- The science industry could collaborate with the finance and banking-and-insurance sectors to develop innovative solutions aimed at promoting health-and-wellness within the workplace, addressing concerns such as adequate compensation for night shifts, keeping up with minimum wage standards, and ensuring employment agreements are upheld.
- As the ongoing dispute between Menzies Aviation's ground workers and the company unfolds, finance experts should examine the potential long-term financial impact on the industry, considering aspects like increased operational costs, potential customer dissatisfaction, and possible reputational damage, which could also influence future employment negotiations within the banking and finance sectors.
