PCP insists on paying cut amounts to former Lajes workers

O regional coordinator of the PCP/Açores, Marco Varela, met today with former workers of the Base das Lajes and with the Union of Transforming Industries, Food, Trade and Offices, Hospitality, Tourism and Transport (SITACEHTT), at the headquarters of the Union of Unions of Angra do Heroísmo, on the island Terceira, “at a meeting requested by the former workers”, said the leader, in statements to the agency Lusa.

Marco Varela said that among the issues addressed was “the elimination of the sustainability factor” of former Lajes Base workers on Terceira Island, defending the CFP that “is of complete justice” that the values corresponding to the period between 2015 and 2023 should be paid to beneficiaries.

The sustainability factor was no longer applied from 2024, but according to Marco Varela, the change did not cover retroactively the previous years.

In statements to Lusa, the coordinator of the CFP/Açores said that the party intends to return the matter to the Assembly of the Republic, in the context of the discussion of the State Budget for 2027.

Marco Varela pointed out that the CFP will articulate with its parliamentary group the possibility of re-presenting, in the State Budget, a proposal to restore the values for the period between 2015 and 2023, calling for awareness of the measure by other parties.

“It’s a battle these workers have been developing over the years. This battle has been accompanied by the CFP, both regionally and by the Assembly of the Republic,” he stressed.

Marco Varela recalled that about 450 former Portuguese workers from the Lajes Base who retired following the reduction of the US presence and had their pensions subject to the sustainability factor.

“The sustainability factor was eliminated from 2024. It just didn't count between 2015 and 2023. And, the workers' claim is the payment of the values ", explained also.

The meeting also addressed the question of possible contamination of soil and aquifers at the Lajes Base and the work of a regional committee set up to study this issue.

Marco Varela defended the importance of moving forward with “a comprehensive study to Terceira Island” and taking advantage of the knowledge of the workers.

“ The knowledge of workers can be a strong contribution to the committee to reach conclusions and, later, to possible measures, if they are necessary to solve the problem”, he said.