EasyJet says 50% joined the strike, while the union points to 90%.

EasyJet said this Saturday afternoon that participation in the flight attendants’ strike around 6 pm was 50%, while the union indicated about 90%.

In a statement sent to Lusa, the airline indicated that on the second day of the crew strike in Lisbon, Porto and Faro, membership was “so far at 50%.”

According to the carrier, 94% of the flights were operated, as there were 107 out of 114 flights in total.

For its part, the National Union of Civil Aviation Pilots (SNPVAC) points to about 90%.

Speaking to Lusa, SNPVAC President Ricardo Penarroyas said the carrier’s numbers are “nonsense” and that “the company wants to devalue the strike”, not least because, he says, “the company itself has canceled nearly 70% of its flights.”

According to data provided by SNPVAC, in Porto one flight was operated by management and “three more were cancelled”, in Faro “two flights were operated by management”, and in Lisbon two flights were canceled and “six flights were operated by management and off-base crew”.

Ricardo Penarroyas claims the union has “already asked the ACT to pay the fine to the company” because flying on strike days with non-essential crew “is something you can’t do.”

easyJet flight attendants went on strike Friday, lasting until Tuesday, demanding conditions similar to those at the carrier’s bases in other countries.

On Friday, the first day of the easyJet strike, the union said there had been “mass participation” and “violent operational pressure,” a message to members said.

EasyJet also said on Friday it had a “higher minimum service level” during a five-day flight attendant strike, also accusing the SNPVAC union of “irresponsibility”.