Spanish airports are on the verge of a complex Christmas campaign. The most representative unions in the transport sector have called for an eight-day strike to demand working conditions. A protest that, if it occurs, could complicate travel operations at major airports and multi-person holidays.
When is the strike?
Unions called for an eight-day strike spread between the peak dates of the Christmas holidays. Strikes will specifically take place on the following days: 29, 30 and 31 December And January 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7It coincides with critical dates such as the end of the year and Epiphany.
Who is calling the protests?
Protests were called CCOO And UGTThe industry’s most representative unions formalized the strike call this week.
Why the strike?
The origin of the conflict stems from the contract awarded to Aena for the ‘transportation’ or management of luggage at Spain’s major airports. Until now it was Iberia that belonged to the group IAG– Who was the winner of the contract in question? Its employees are also responsible for carrying luggage from boarding stations to aircraft and vice versa, and assisting with aircraft takeoffs and landings.
However, he lost the new award at Iberia airports in September. Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and Alicante. The company provided services to third parties there and was primarily responsible for the bulk of aircraft ground assistance. Now employees are afraid of being transferred to other companies after losing the contract and losing their working conditions in the process.
Which airlines and airports are affected?
Protests will intensify at airports barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga And AlicanteThis is where Iberia lost its tender management contract to third parties and workers feared being transferred to other companies. In Madrid, although Iberia continues to manage business with third parties, they are also invited. Unions estimate that around 7,000 employees were questioned as a result of the call.
And the protests could affect both Iberia and the rest of the IAG group airlines its employees serve if they stop carrying luggage and providing ground assistance. Vueling, by far the company that operates the most flights in Barcelona, may also be affected by strikes. But Iberia’s staff also provides services to other companies such as: Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Turkish Airlines anyone American Airlines.
What are the minimum services?
While the strike takes place in strategic mobility infrastructures, the Ministry of Transport is responsible for minimum services to guarantee the operation of flights during protests. It will be this that will determine the percentage of national, international and extra-peninsula flights on which companies that may be affected by the strike must operate at a minimum level. These have not yet been determined and the Ministry usually makes them public a few days before strikes begin.