UGT and CCOO chose to postpone Iberia workers’ planned strike action, allowing an eight-day window around the Christmas period for government mediation to help ease the dispute.
On Wednesday, the two unions held several discussions with the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to seek a resolution after Iberia lost operating licenses for eight airports in the most recent Aena tender. The unions stressed that delaying the strike demonstrates responsibility and a willingness to reach the long-awaited agreement through a government-facilitated negotiating framework. Meetings are set to continue from Thursday onward.
They also expressed hope that this new pathway, opened under pressure from UGT and CCOO, would yield a favorable outcome for Iberia workers and for the company as a whole.
A new company run by another operator
The unions indicated that government mediation emerged due to pressure from the unions themselves, which had called for action after describing talks with Iberia as unsuccessful. The strike was initially planned for December 29 through January 1 and again from January 4 through January 7.
As the unions explained, within the talks framework, Iberia proposed creating a company with an 80 percent majority stake led by the winning bidder and a minority company owned by IAG, positioned under the banner of Yellow Rendering. They viewed this move as an attempt to shift control during the transition.
The unions deemed this arrangement unlawful for not complying with the applicable royal decree. They warned that it could trigger a separation of business operations and clash with the latest sector agreements.
Consequently, they urged Iberia to adopt automatic handling at the airports, while the airline argued that automation and partial succession would not be viable for workers who are older or less mobile and would therefore remain in their current wage brackets.
In practical terms, the winning tender operators would secure staff with the lowest wage costs, enabling them to bid more aggressively and widen a competitiveness gap that automation alone could not close.
The unions also proposed negotiating an internal employment regulation file (ERE) to help manage costs and secure better prospects for workers, all while ensuring compliance with the XXII sector collective agreement.
Concern over potential reduction of workers’ rights
Iberia lost Aena’s ground handling license at eight key airports when the airport management tender concluded on September 26. The move dealt a heavy blow, and the company has appealed the bankruptcy ruling while continuing legal proceedings to recover portions of the business.
With new operators entering, concerns arose that these newcomers might not honor the sector-wide collective agreement, potentially worsening working conditions for Iberia’s current employees. The unions therefore pressed Iberia to make a timely decision to protect existing workers and to communicate the decision to staff as soon as possible.
The overall aim, as framed by the unions, is to ensure stability for workers during the transition, maintain agreed-upon terms, and preserve essential protections within the evolving management structure of the airports. This approach seeks to balance operational viability with fair treatment of personnel across the affected sites.
In statements to Reuters and other outlets, union leaders emphasized that government involvement offers a chance to avert disruption while safeguarding workers’ rights and wages. They signaled readiness to cooperate with Iberia and the government to reach an amicable settlement that protects the workforce and maintains service continuity for customers. [Citation: UGT and CCOO union communications]