The USO union held a press conference this week about a nine-day cabin crew strike planned by EasyJet in Spain, targeting the weekends at the end of July to protest stalled negotiations over the terms of the workers’ agreement. The action aims to press for improved working conditions and a fair pay framework within Europe.
At the briefing, Miguel Galán of USO EasyJet Málaga explained that the staff are seeking parity with their European colleagues and a higher base pay. He noted that the basic salary (not including flight hours) would rise by roughly 850 euros in the Spanish context, with total earnings expected to reach about 950 euros more when flight hours are added. This gap underscores the cost of living pressures in major Spanish cities.
Earlier today, negotiations began at the Interfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA). Reports indicate the session concluded without a formal agreement, even though both the union and EasyJet signaled willingness to resume talks through to the end of June.
As a result, the union maintained that a strike remains a reasonable option unless a path to a fair settlement emerges.
EasyJet responded by acknowledging the situation, expressing disappointment but insisting that significant progress has been made toward a new collective bargaining framework and confirming their commitment to keep discussions constructive.
40% Salary Increase
The Spanish crew is seeking an approximate 40 percent increase in the base salary, raising the current 950 euros and adding flight-time compensation. The union argues that this increment is essential to meet the cost of rent or mortgage obligations in cities like Barcelona, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca.
Additionally, the union requests that any base salary rise does not come with a reduction in flight hours. Other points include the inclusion of a severance bonus in the payroll, an IPC-based adjustment for the duration of the contract, and limits on flight hours to improve overall crew rest and scheduling fairness.
The planned strike is expected to involve EasyJet’s crews at airports such as Istanbul El Prat, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca. Galán apologized to passengers for the disruption and noted that flight schedules for July 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 29, 30, and 31 remain under evaluation, with numbers dependent on airline decisions and the continuation of negotiations.
If the company proceeds with the strike, some return trip services to and from Malaga, Palma, and Barcelona are anticipated to be affected, though EasyJet has pledged to operate its full flight program wherever possible and to minimize disruption for customers.
There have also been calls for sympathy actions from cabin crews at Ryanair, with planned walkouts scheduled for June across several days in parallel with the EasyJet situation, reflecting broader tensions within European low-cost carriers. The dispute involves ten UK and Spanish bases, including Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona, Girona, Santiago de Compostela, Ibiza, and Palma de Mallorca.
Market observers note that layovers, layovers, and staffing levels in a recovering travel season will influence both airline operations and passenger experience as the dispute unfolds. The parties continue to weigh options, balancing operational stability with workers’ demands for a more equitable compensation package and predictable schedules. Marked statements from union representatives emphasize the urgency of reaching a fair settlement that reflects regional cost-of-living realities and the increasingly competitive European aviation landscape.