Strikes Hit Major Airports and Airlines in Spain as Workers Seek Better Working Conditions

Strategic Insights -

As Spain is brimming with tourists during the peak holiday season, new strikes have been announced affecting major airports and airlines across the country. Workers with the Menzies group, which services a number of major airlines including British Airways, easyJet, and American Airlines, have said they will hold industrial action starting in August. The UGT union, which represents the workers, is objecting to what it calls "serious and repeated breaches of labour agreements" by Menzies, including salary breaches, violation of subrogation rights, and disorganisation in working hours and schedules.

Key Takeaways:

  • 1,500 workers with Menzies, a firm that services major airlines, will hold industrial action, including strikes at five Spanish airports, starting in August.
  • The UGT union claims Menzies has committed "serious and repeated breaches of labour agreements" including salary breaches and disorganisation in working hours and schedules.
  • The strike by ground staff of the Menzies group will affect British Airways, easyJet, and American Airlines, among others, and is expected to cause significant delays and cancellations.
  • The Ryanair strike, which involves over 3,000 workers, will occur this week and every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and may continue until next January.
  • The strike will take place between 5am and 9am, noon and 3pm, and 9pm to 11.59pm.
  • The UGT union is requesting mediation before the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service SIMA to resolve the disputes.

Statistics:

  • Over 3,000 workers with Ryanair are participating in the strike.
  • 1,500 workers with Menzies are involved in the industrial action.
  • The strike at Azul Handling Ryanair's handling subsidiary is set to continue through at least December 31.
  • The strike affects five Spanish airports including Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Palma, Malaga, and Tenerife South.

Sources:

  • Express [online] 2024 (date not specified) https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1520905/Spain-airport-strike-date-August-airport-flight-delays
  • Quote from Jose Manuel Perez Grande, Federal Secretary of the FeSMC-UGT Air Union.