EasyJet cabin crew in Portugal begin five-day strike, cancelling hundreds of flights
EasyJet's Portugal-based cabin crew began a strike on 2 October, set to run to 6 October, with the union saying 443 flights were cancelled. The airline says it will run about 55% of its schedule; a second strike is planned for 19-23 December.
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The story, neutrally told
MixedA strike by easyJet cabin crew in Portugal began on Friday 2 October and is set to continue until Tuesday 6 October. Anadolu AgencyN “A strike by easyJet cabin crew in Portugal began Friday and is set to continue until Tuesday” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Daily MirrorL “The strike began this Friday, October 2, in Portugal” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ MixedAccording to the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC), 443 flights from the airline's Lisbon, Porto and Faro bases had already been cancelled. Anadolu AgencyN “with 443 flights from the airline’s bases in the capital Lisbon, Porto, and Faro already canceled” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Daily MirrorL “with 443 flights from the Lisbon, Porto, and Faro bases already scrapped as of this morning” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ MixedUnion leader Ana Dias said the cancelled flights represent around 80% of scheduled services at those bases over the five days, and that other flights could also be disrupted. The Daily Mirror also reported the union saying participation was strong on the first day and that only minimum services were being maintained. Anadolu AgencyN “Union leader Ana Dias said the canceled flights represent around 80% of scheduled services during the five-day strike” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Daily MirrorL “reported strong participation on Friday, the first of five scheduled strike days” Read at Daily Mirror ↗
MixedAn easyJet official told the Lusa news agency that the airline expects to operate around 55% of its scheduled flights during the strike. Anadolu AgencyN “expects to operate around 55% of its scheduled flights during the strike” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Daily MirrorL “the airline anticipates operating approximately 55% of its schedule during the strike period” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ MixedThe company said minimum services account for around 22% of its Portugal-based operations, and that additional flights to and from Portugal will be operated by aircraft and crews from other European bases, in what it says is full compliance with applicable laws. Anadolu AgencyN “minimum services account for around 22% of its Portugal-based operations” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Daily MirrorL “"in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations,"” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ MixedThe union calls the use of crews from other bases to replace strikers illegal and may take the matter to court; Dias said crews had arrived in Porto from France. Anadolu AgencyN ““Crews arrived in Porto from France, and will probably operate flights to replace the strikers, once again in an illegal manner,”” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Daily MirrorL “deems the use of workers from other bases to replace striking staff "illegal" and is considering taking the matter to court” Read at Daily Mirror ↗
CentreThe dispute concerns flight schedule stability, pay progression based on length of service, and terms proposed in negotiations for a company agreement. Anadolu AgencyN “disputes over flight schedule stability, pay progression based on length of service, and terms proposed during negotiations for a company agreement” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ LeftEasyJet said it was "extremely disappointed" by the action, citing its willingness to continue dialogue and protect the sustainability of its Portugal business. It said it had cancelled two return Manchester–Portugal flights in advance and offered affected customers a free transfer or a refund. Daily MirrorL “We are extremely disappointed that the union representing our Portugal-based cabin crew has announced an industrial action from 2 to 6 October”“Customers have been informed directly and offered options including a free transfer or a refund.” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ MixedA second cabin crew strike is scheduled for 19-23 December, potentially affecting Christmas travel. Anadolu AgencyN “Another easyJet cabin crew strike is scheduled for Dec. 19-23, potentially affecting travel during the busy Christmas period.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Daily MirrorL “is the first of two walkouts planned for this year” Read at Daily Mirror ↗
LeftThe Daily Mirror put the total at approximately 500 flights, a figure that differs from the union's 443 cancellations reported so far. Daily MirrorL “is expected to ground approximately 500 scheduled flights across Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports” Read at Daily Mirror ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Consumer-travel angle aimed at UK holidaymakers, calling it a 'massive' strike in a 'UK tourist hotspot' and flagging Christmas risk.
- Emphasis
- Impact on British travellers, Manchester cancellations, easyJet's full statement and customer options.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the specific pay-progression and schedule-stability issues behind the dispute.
- Charged language
- “massive”“UK tourist hotspot”“jeopardise Christmas plans”
- For example
-
“A 'massive' EasyJet cabin crew strike has resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights in a popular British tourist destination” — Daily Mirror
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Concise agency report on the strike's scale, with union and airline positions side by side.
- Emphasis
- Union figures, the legality dispute and the underlying labour grievances.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not include easyJet's expression of disappointment, or the UK/Manchester impact and customer remedies.
- For example
-
“The strike follows disputes over flight schedule stability, pay progression based on length of service, and terms proposed during negotiations for a company agreement.” — Anadolu Agency
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The strike began 2 October and runs to 6 October.
- SNPVAC says 443 flights from Lisbon, Porto and Faro were cancelled, about 80% of scheduled services.
- EasyJet expects to run about 55% of flights, with minimum services around 22%.
- The union calls the use of crews from other bases illegal; easyJet says it complies with the law.
- A second strike is planned for 19-23 December.
Where accounts differ
-
Legality of using crews from other European bases
- Left
- Reports the union calls it illegal and is considering court action; also gives easyJet's compliance claim.
- Centre
- Reports the union calling it illegal and a possible court case; easyJet says it complies with the law.
-
Scale of cancellations
- Left
- Says about 500 flights are expected to be grounded.
- Centre
- Reports 443 cancelled so far, per the union.
EasyJet organisation
Says it expects to run about 55% of flights, complies with the law, is disappointed by what it calls unnecessary action, and remains open to dialogue.
“We are sorry for the impact the unnecessary action will have on our customers” — Daily Mirror
“in full compliance with applicable legislation and regulations” — Anadolu Agency
Left1 article
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EasyJet 'massive' 5 day strike affects 500 flights in UK tourist hotspot - Christmas also at risk
Alarmist Holiday-disruption story stressing scale and Christmas risk for UK travellers, with easyJet's statement quoted at length.
Centre1 article
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EasyJet cabin crew strike disrupts hundreds of flights in Portugal
Neutral Brief factual report balancing union claims and easyJet's response, with the grievances behind the strike.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 2 Oct 12:57 First Anadolu AgencyN EasyJet cabin crew strike disrupts hundreds of flights in Portugal
- 2 Oct 17:24 +4h 28m Daily MirrorL EasyJet 'massive' 5 day strike affects 500 flights in UK tourist hotspot - Christmas also at risk
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.