Two formal complaints filed by Portuguese workers at the U.S.-operated Lajes Air Base in the Azores remain unresolved, exposing allegations of workplace misconduct, unequal treatment, and possible abuse of authority within a security-related unit.

According to documents reviewed by Diário Insular, one complaint—dating back to 2024 and escalated to the Permanent Bilateral Commission—accuses a supervisor in the 65th Air Base Squadron Flight (65 ABS SFFLIGHT) of systematically misrepresenting employee availability for overtime. Workers allege they were never consulted about extra shifts, while the supervisor reportedly claimed they had declined them, even as she covered those shifts herself—raising questions about compensation practices and transparency.

The complaint further outlines irregularities in scheduling, including holiday staffing and vacation assignments. Employees say leave was imposed arbitrarily, often in short, fragmented periods that prevented meaningful rest, which they interpret as retaliatory.

Additional concerns include the selective designation of workers as “essential” during the Covid-19 pandemic and in other contexts, a classification that employees claim was inconsistently applied and used to limit their rights. Allegations of intimidation and workplace harassment are also cited, with workers asserting that a functional relationship with the supervisor has broken down entirely.

A second complaint, filed in late 2025 with the Azores Air Zone Command, challenges a decision to reduce staffing levels during holidays. While framed as mission-driven, the measure is described by the complainant as discriminatory and applied only to a specific section.

As of now, neither complaint has received a definitive response. Efforts to obtain comment from the Portuguese command at Lajes Air Base were unsuccessful by press time.

The case underscores broader tensions surrounding labor practices and oversight at a base long seen as a cornerstone of transatlantic cooperation—raising renewed scrutiny over how local workers are managed within a binational military framework.

In Diário Insular, José Lourenço-director.

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.