Outsourced employees at Guarulhos International Airport protested, this Tuesday (3), against the ban on the use of cell phones in the loading and unloading areas of the terminals and called for a review of the rule.
The ban on the use of cell phones in loading and unloading areas occurred after two Brazilian women were wrongly arrested in Germany, after having their suitcases exchanged for luggage containing drugs. Investigations proved that the exchanges were made by airport employees during boarding.
In a statement, GRU Airport, the concessionaire that manages the airport, informed that, due to the strike of outsourced workers and also because of the strike that affects public transport in the capital of São Paulo – triggered by employees of the Metro and Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM) against the state government’s privatization proposal – triggered a contingency operation.
GRU Airport also asks passengers to contact airlines before boarding to obtain more information about flight status.
Latam informed that today’s flights with Guarulhos as origin or destination may be delayed or canceled due to the demonstration of outsourced employees, it said in a statement. Therefore, the company advises customers to check the status of their flight on the website in advance.
Latam also said that passengers who had flights in Guarulhos affected by the strike can reschedule their trip without paying a fine or fare difference, or request a full refund.
The measure also applies to passengers departing from or going to Guarulhos and who have not been affected by the strike. “The change may be made to other flights with the same origin and destination, as long as the first leg is scheduled for the next 15 days”, informed the company.
Azul airline reported that, due to the strike at the airport, there was a delay in a flight (AD 2959) that would leave Guarulhos and head to Recife. According to the company, which regretted any inconvenience to passengers, customers are receiving all necessary assistance.
The reporter contacted Gol, but, so far, has not received a response.
Revenue
The Federal Revenue confirmed that it has regulated the access of cell phones and equipment for capturing images in the air cargo terminal, in controlled areas, in restricted security areas of passenger terminals and on airport aprons.
According to the IRS, the rule was discussed and approved by the airport community and is necessary because “organized crime uses personal cell phones to commit crimes, especially when recording sensitive operations from the point of view of their economic impact, security procedures adopted and the precautions involved in the storage and movement of valuables that circulate through the airport complex”.
“The ban on the use of private cell phones only covers the most sensitive restricted areas (warehouses, yards and runways). In these areas, the use of institutional cell phones is authorized, which do not allow the taking and dissemination of images, thus protecting the privacy of those involved and the security of all [a] community. Thus, the action of restricting is, in fact, a measure to protect the community and prevent the commission of illegal acts that threaten everyone. Communication between employees and the external public is not prohibited, and continues to be carried out via landline telephone (telephone extensions)”, he informed.
VIDEO – SP subway workers will discuss strike; Sabesp employees also stop
Source: CNN Brasil
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