During 2000, the Portuguese airline TAP Air Portugal has launched a restructuring process. A social programme presented to employee representatives provides for workforce reductions, starting initially with voluntary departures.
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During 2000, the Portuguese airline TAP Air Portugal has launched a restructuring process. A social programme presented to employee representatives provides for workforce reductions, starting initially with voluntary departures.
Air Portugal (Transportes Aéreos Portugueses, TAP) the Portuguese air carrier, and a member of the Qualiflyer Group alliance of airlines has been undegoing privatisation for some time. In 2000, legislation has been approved aimed at redefining TAP's organisational structure, divided it into three business areas - air transport, maintenance and baggage handling - which are autonomous structures under a holding company (PT9909165N). One of the conditions imposed by the restruturing is a reduction of TAP's workforce.
In order to implement the new organisational framework, company management is in the process of approving a "social programme" involving various forms of redundancy arrangements. According to a document given to employee representatives, the first step in the programme will by voluntary departures, with either compensation payments or, in coordination with the appropriate authorities, the payment of early retirement or retirement pensions. The measures are thus primarily aimed at the company's older employees.
Without detriment to the voluntary nature of the programme, the document also states that, should management needs so dictate, TAP reserves the right to propose redundancy to certain employees and to decide whether or not to accept applications for voluntary departure.
The process got under way with meetings with trade unions representing the workforce and with the company workers' commission, at which the management taskforce in charge of the process disseminated information about the programme. At the meetings, workers' representatives were asked to give alternatives or suggestions on how the document could be improved. These suggestions and contributions to the process are currently being studied.
It should be noted that workforce reductions have also been taking place in other state-owned businesses. Prime examples of this are the state-run broadcasting company (Rádio Televisão Portuguesa, RTP) and Portugal Telecom (PT0003184N), the telecommunications company that holds part of what is left of the former public monopoly in this area.
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (2000), TAP plans workforce cuts, article.
