“We're not going to pay to work!” read the only banner held by essential workers at the Airport of Faro, in the protest they carried out this morning at this infrastructure, against the intention of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal/Vinci to charge them parking as of 30 June.
And, all things considered, more would not be necessary, because this is the message, simple and direct, that the elements of the PSP, the SEF, the GNR and the Tax Authority, who today manifested themselves in Faro, want to drive to the Vinci company, which has the concession for national airports.
“Until now, all employees working here, from public bodies, had the right to park free of charge in the parking lot reserved for employees. In the meantime, ANA notified all public bodies that from 1 March onwards, a payment for each element of 40 euros must be made,” José Rosado, director of the company, told journalists this morning. Union Association of Police Professionals (ASPP/PSP).
“This deadline has already been extended until June 30, according to reports, through contacts made through the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the PSP and other bodies. But they are uncompromising and want to start being paid as of June 30, and each element will have to provide 40 euros per month," he added.
These women and men, who have always had a place where they can leave their car in the vicinity of the Airport, without being charged, all perform essential functions, which are a basic condition for an airport to receive commercial flights and be certified at the same level. International.
These are law enforcement agents, from the different police forces, but also customs agents and even employees of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (weather).
This means that, even when the Airport does not receive flights, there must be elements of these services present. The rest must always be on standby, in case of need.
“The authorities who work here are here 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Therefore, it is obvious that the use of a private car is not an option, it is an obligation, because we have no other way of being able to come to work», said, for his part, Nuno Santos, member of the national board and regional delegate of the Sindicato da Carreira of Investigation and Inspection of the SEF.
“We are here exercising public functions, in the public interest, and exercising the authority of the State. What Vinci is doing is boosting its profits at the expense of employees who, to comply with the law and the public interest, will literally be forced to pay to work», illustrated the same responsible.
“Our mission is permanent. And we have a requirement for a degree of readiness that is not required of anyone else. Imagine that any situation happens here, a catastrophe – God forbid. All staff will be mobilized, even people who are off duty, people who are on vacation, as has already happened. When the Martinair plane crashed in 1992, there were members of the PSP who were off duty and had to come to work the next day, others who were on vacation and had to come to work», recalled José Rosado.
But why not use public transport or park outside the airport at free locations?
“Parking around the airport is prohibited. Public transport is practically non-existent. We don't have a chance, we have to park in a car park adjacent to the airport. It is an obligation that Vinci has, to provide the workers who carry out functions here the necessary conditions», illustrated Nuno Santos.
“There is no chance. On top of that, when there is more movement, in addition to the residents, people who do not want to park here in the parks also park outside and completely block access to any type of parking. There is no [free] parking around here, within 2 or 3 kilometers there is no place to park”, assures José Rosado.
Alcides Carvalho, a customs worker, gives his personal example.
«I feel aggrieved because I live in the municipality of São Brás de Alportel. In order to comply with the schedules imposed on me by my employer, which can be from 8:00 am to 16:00 pm, from 16:00 pm to 00:00 am or from 00:00 am to 8:00 am - this 365 days a year -, I do not have public transport that allows me to come and my homecoming. I have to use my car», he said.
“I have been working in customs for 33 years, most of them here at this airport, where we have always been provided with a car park. Why is it that, at this moment, ANA/Vinci is starting to charge us for parking?” he asked.
This is apparently an unanswered question. “Well, that's what causes the great revolt in the elements. It's just that there's no justification for why this is going to happen,” said José Rosado.
The ASPP leader and regional representative of the union association recalled that, in 2018 and 2019, "there was an exponential increase in passengers here at the airport" and that essential professionals were always available.
«There were numerous changes in scales during peak hours, in summer, Easter, Christmas. The elements have a percentage to mark vacations, they have a residual percentage there to mark vacations, because that is when there is the greatest movement. At that time, they patted us on the back: “you do an excellent job, you are always available, this only goes well because of you”. (…) Now, there is this crisis due to the pandemic, and, in the first situation, they force us to have to pay for the crisis as well. Hence the slogan “We are not going to pay to work”», he concluded.
As for the amount paid, “it is an exaggeration”, but even if it were less, it would not be accepted by these workers. «Whatever the amount, obviously, it is wrong for it to be charged», believes Nuno Santos.
«If I have a parking lot like there is, for example, in Pontinha, in Faro, which is covered, has security and has all the conditions, it is natural that you have to pay. Now, the park they want to charge us has two gates: one at the entrance, one at the exit. Everyone knows what the temperatures are in summer, here in the Algarve, and what it's like to be a car for 8 hours in the sun», said, for his part, Alcides Carvalho.
“In winter, the same thing. How many times do we get out of the car, it's raining in torrents and arrive here at the airport completely soaked? 40 euros a month to have a car marked by two barriers? I think it is, quite simply, too bad," said the customs official at the Airport of Faro.
At this time, talks are continuing with ANA Aeroportos, involving the national directorates of the different bodies, bearing in mind that this is an issue that affects not only the employees of Faro, but also those of other national airports.
"I hope the issue is resolved, either by the MAI, or by the SEF leadership itself and other forces, because that will have to happen," said Nuno Santos, from the SEF.
Photos: Hugo Rodrigues | Sul Informação
Help us to do the Sul Informação!
Contribute your donation so that we can continue to make your journal!
Click here to support us (Paypal)
Or use our IBAN PT50 0018 0003 38929600020 44
Comments