Airport manager Aena granted extra time for Iberia to reach an agreement with the CCOO and UGT unions over the handling staff responsible for ground services. The extension comes after both sides exhausted the initial period allowed for negotiations.
Iberia and the workers’ representatives had set a deadline for 16.00 this Thursday. Meanwhile, Aena began reaching out to airlines that receive ground handling services to determine whether they opted for an automatic service or outsourced the task to one of the operators that won licenses in the September competitive process.
The airline’s sources informed EFE that the deadline has been extended, though they did not disclose the exact additional time granted. This marks a new extension after Aena previously pushed the decision deadline from January 12 to midnight last night.
A meeting has been scheduled for January 22. The USO union confirmed that this meeting, originally planned for today, has been called to continue discussions between the negotiating parties.
In that session, Iberia and the unions will pursue an agreement on the status of unlicensed ground handling personnel at the eight airports that lost the competition. The aim is to clarify future arrangements for these workers.
Iberia has proposed establishing a new company fully owned by the IAG group to manage the routes and operations of the group of airlines that includes Iberia, Vueling, British Airways, Level and Air Nostrum. The plan would involve the 8,000 employees currently employed by Iberia Airport Services, which oversees the handling operations for the group.
Additionally, Iberia has put forward a package that includes early retirement options and an incentive sick leave program for workers starting at age 56. The intention is to avoid reducing the total workforce, with new hires intended to replace about 1,727 positions.
The unions have rejected parts of the proposal, arguing that Iberia’s offer should apply only at airports affected by the loss of license and not at locations where Iberia continues to provide ground handling services. CCOO and UGT contend that workers remain under Iberia’s control and that the licensees do not need to pursue a succession plan, citing a long-standing clause that prevents layoffs. They emphasize that the sector-wide agreement should apply to the workforce involved.
Notes: The developments reflect ongoing tensions between the airline and its unions about workforce arrangements, service models, and the future governance of ground handling across Iberia’s network. The parties are seeking a balance between cost efficiency, job security, and compliance with regulatory competitions while considering the implications for service quality and operational reliability. Attribution: EFE reporting and union communications.