The Portuguese government is increasing pressure on TAP Air Portugal's flying personnel. If they do not accept an agreement that leads to lower wages, at least half of the workforce is to be cut.

Local media put the extent of the wage cuts at 35 to 50 percent. This is unacceptable for the employee representatives, because in the course of the crisis, salaries have already been reduced by 25 percent. The upcoming discount does not relate to the original wage, but to the already reduced one, so that the loss is drastic.

The Portuguese state holds the majority in TAP Air Portugal and wants to cut costs radically. Should the staff not agree to the measures provided for in the restructuring plan, which are initially limited to 2024, a large-scale staff reduction will be carried out. This "threat" does not come from the management, but from the Ministry of Transport.

Officially, everything is voluntary, but that's not far. Those who do not agree by the end of February 2021 risk being given notice of termination from March 1, 2021. Those who are not cut are said to be forced to lose their salaries. All wages from 900 euros gross are to be cut.

The Ministry of Transport also stressed in a press release that there will be no more negotiations in this context. The situation of TAP Air Portugal would be so precarious that there is no more time and the state is not ready to accept alternative solutions. Portugal's approach is very reminiscent of a large low-cost airline that keeps making headlines for “agree or be fired”.