"The pilots' strike is not limited, as is maliciously being propagated, to the salary claim, but to relevant issues of the sovereignty of the country and the company, as a commercial, social and cultural-identity entity", says a note signed by the president of the Airline Pilots Union (SPLA), Miguel Prata.
Pilots of the national air carrier TAAG started a strike this Friday, after negotiations to reach a consensus with the employer had failed, to whom, last June, an eight-point claim book was presented, the first relating to the remunerations.
The note stresses that the strike by Angolan TAAG pilots "is based on respect for the Constitution, article 51 (Right to Strike and Prohibition of Lock Out) and Law No. 23/91 of 15 June, Strike Law, article 10 (Strike Decision)".
The strikers express their displeasure that the company's management is violating the article on acts against the principles of Public Administration, of the Public Probity Law.
"The strike is still in its infancy and the employer, trampling on our laws, has already violated Articles 15 (Prohibition of changing equipment) and 17 (Prohibition of replacing workers), of the Strike Law, as the hiring of means and personnel, mainly, these, without a work visa, are a true attack on the rules, which the ANAC [National Civil Aviation Agency], should not remain indifferent, nor be an accomplice", emphasizes the note.
The union stresses that the national airline is, in addition to its workers, "of the majority of Angolan patriots, who are proud to have an airline, few of the African ones, operated and assisted, with the majority of Angolan crew and technicians".
"We have flaws and virtues, as a living body, but the deep love for the country and the company is undeniable", he highlights.
In the document, the pilots emphasize their "patriotic sense of duty, in the most critical moments, never turning face to the fight and not flying, even under fire, to take supplies and not only to needy populations".
According to the note, the aim of the strike is "to prevent the trivialization and planned bankruptcy of jobs, equipment and the company, which has everything, with competent and patriotic management, to succeed".
"Pilots cannot remain indifferent to the direction of the company, hence, one of the purposes of the strike is also to rescue the company's symbol, as a stony clause (non-negotiable), even in rental per month", adds the document.
The pilots' strike, says the union, also aims to defend the company's symbols, namely the name, logo (a sable, an animal considered the national symbol of Angola) and colors.
"The pilots consider, in a time of crisis, for the salvation of the company, a broad discussion for everyone, patriotically, to tighten their belts and, not demanding sacrifices from some, including the loss of jobs and others earning above average salaries. nationally, regionally and internationally", concludes the note.
