Is everybody mad in this country?

It must be a cultural thing. I do not understand.  TAP is a public company owned by the state.  I.e. all Portuguese.  It is supposed to be privatized now, so Portugal can pay off on some of its debts.  But now the pilots of TAP have decided to strike eight days, four days before Christmas and 4 days after New Years.  Not because they are upset by salaries going down and taxes going up.  But because they want to be given, offered as a gift, up to 20% of TAP when it is sold.  They were promised so a few years ago, if TAP ever were to be privatized.

It must be a cultural thing. I do not understand.  A select group of employees of a company has been promised part of the company - no small part either.  But why are shares of a public company owned by all Portuguese just to be offered to 800 or so pilots.  What about the stewardesses?   I bet the pilots will never get coffee again.

It must be a cultural thing. I do not understand.  Does it not take a very special law to give away public property to a few number of selected private citizens?  Is this even constitutional?

It must be a cultural thing. I do not understand.  Do the pilots consider the country finished, and now like the old USSR must be divided in equal parts to be given to the few well to do?

It must be a cultural thing. I do not understand.  The company is being readied to be sold.  And now 8 days of strike at the most critical part of the year business wise.  The strike will cost a minimum of 50 million Euros and probably lower the price of the company by the double.

It must be a cultural thing. I do not understand.  Who in Portugal can make promises like that?  Did the pilots believe it?  Why?  I know many pilots come from a military background and pilots and military pilots in particular, are not exactly humble.  But this seem over the top - even for people born without a grain of humbleness.

It must be a cultural thing. I do not understand.  Does Portugal have a hidden owner? Is there a hidden King and is this still an absolute monarchy?  Is he (she?) the one who gives away state patrimony?  Where does he (she?) live?  I would like to meet him (her?).  I like the area around Tavira - the title of baron and 400 square kilometers of land would make me pretty satisfied.  I would shut up for a while...

It must be a cultural thing. I do not understand.  The country is in the worst crisis in a generation.  The president and the prime minister are asking for social responsibility. And an elite group - one of the best paid  groups of people in the country are considering running off with the silverware?  I am grateful they only want to take 20% - they could take it all.  Thank goodness that pilots are responsible people.

It must be a cultural thing. I do not understand.  This can't be a real event?  Did I doze off for a few months?  Is it the first of April already?

It must be a cultural thing. I do not understand.  Is everybody mad in this country?

Update 19.11.2011:  There is a video in Portuguese in circulation trying to explain the pilot's point of view.  It is claimed that they in 1999 received a promised partnership in the company, when (if?) privatized, if they would accept a lower (none at the time?) salary raise.  The promise was given by the then socialist government (credible - politicians love to give away other peoples property).  The corresponding amount has now been calculated: 400 millions.  The 800 pilots would each get a cool 500000 euros.

I would like to have some austerity too...    Instead I have to hand in more of my property every year to pay extra income tax, more property tax, more VAT.  In return I receive less services of a worse quality from the state.  This state business is a real cool business.  I would like one too.   No wonder most dictators prefer to go down fighting instead of just giving it up.