"On December 11, the strike caused the cancellation of around 400 flights, with only minimum service flights being operated, with the exception of two companies — easyJet and Ryanair," announced the SNPVCA.

Regarding the two low-cost airlines, the union added that, "although they were residual, the flights operated by easyJet, in addition to minimum services, were operated by managers or crew from other bases, once again violating Portuguese law." This situation is unacceptable and repetitive, so the ACT [Authority for Working Conditions] will again be called upon to intervene and an administrative process against easyJet will be opened."

The union blames the Government "for the disruption caused to passengers and the expenses inherent to today's strike." "The intransigent stance of this Government is entirely their responsibility," states the SNPVA.

The SNPVCA emphasizes that, "despite the Government's downplaying of the participation rates and attempts to discredit them, the overwhelming force of this strike is evident, with several flights having been cancelled in the preceding days," with the companies assuming that "the participation would be overwhelming, [and] not risking a very likely chaos at the airports."

"Therefore, to claim that the general strike was insignificant is to have no notion of reality or to be tied to one's ideological doctrine," the statement adds.

The Government, through the Minister of the Presidency, Leitão Amaro, considered the participation insignificant. The CGTP claimed that three million workers joined the strike, and the UGT estimated an 80% participation rate.

This was the first general strike called by the CGTP and UGT in 12 years and affected sectors such as transport, schools, hospitals and health centres.