“The non-commercial nature of the Integrated Citizen Assistance Network is not in line with the sale of airline tickets,” says the executive committee of the regional leadership of the union.
The Civil Service Workers Union considered on Tuesday that the transfer of commercial functions of the airline SATA to the Integrated Citizen Support Network (RIAC) is “conflictive and contrary” to the public objectives of the service.
In a statement, the Union of Public and Social Workers of the South and Autonomous Regions (STFPSSRA) said that the possible transfer of commercial functions from SATA to RIAC, due to the closure of the Azorean airline’s stores on some islands of the archipelago, “is considered conflictive and contrary to the public objectives of RIAC.”
“The non-commercial nature of the RIAC does not align with the marketing of airline tickets. In addition to this conflict, we are dealing with professionals with training dedicated to an area that in no way converges with the sale of airline tickets,” says the executive committee of the regional directorate of STFPSSRA.
According to the union, if this happens, it will lead to “a conflict of powers” and a situation of illegality, “since a public entity intends to pursue a public purpose” and not commercial ends.
“We consider it important to clarify that the RIAC is a public institution designed to provide public goods and services to citizens, without profit or commercial character. Therefore, it is not coherent that these measures are announced publicly without prior contact with the workers,” he adds.
On July 19, SATA announced that reorganize the service modelconcentrating ticket sales, reservations and information services at airport counters and telephone service, rather than in stores.
“As of August 1, SATA group airlines, SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines, will concentrate their customer service in the Azores (ticket sales, reservation changes and general information) at airport counters and through the Contact Center (telephone service),” the public company reported.
The reorganization, he explained, is part of “a broader and more comprehensive plan that aims to ensure the sustainability of the company in the medium and long term.”
Last week, in statements to Antena 1/Açores, the company’s president, Rui Coutinho, said that shop serviceswhich closed that day, would be transferred to the RIACthe protocol having already been signed.
On Monday, the President of the Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, admitted that the Ticket sales by RIAC may not materialize.at least on all the islands.
“We are providing a service to the people. Where there is a private economy, the private economy must prevail. I will follow the process and, in due time, I will consider what is reasonable, given that we will not do anything against the private sector and we will do everything possible to ensure a good service to the population,” said the head of the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition executive, speaking to journalists after a visit to the Escola do Mar dos Açores, in Horta.
Given the lack of information regarding the transfer of commercial services from SATA to RIAC, the STFPSSRA requests “clarification and clarity” from the management of RIAC and the Regional Secretariat of Finance, Planning and Public Administration, understanding that the situation “exceeds the limits of functions defined by law” for workers at RIAC branches.
The union reaffirms that Their position is against the transfer of commercial functions from SATA to RIACconsidering it “illegal and contrary” to the operating principles of the institutions involved.
Source: Observadora
