ARCHIVED - Ryanair baggage handler strike at 22 Spanish airports is called off

The industrial action was due to take place across Spain from the end of October until January

A series of Ryanair baggage handler strikes that threatened to cause disruptions at 22 airports across Spain from October 28 until January 8 have been called off.

USO, the union representing baggage handlers, called on staff to down tools at some of the countries biggest airports, including Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Seville, Malaga and Murcia over pay disputes and working conditions. 

However, in a begrudging U-turn, the union has been forced to cancel the industrial action in line with the Ministry of Transport and Urban Agenda's decree of minimum services that "made it impossible for workers to carry out the strike".

In a statement, USO describes the Resolution of Minimum Services as "abusive and clearly detrimental to the exercise of the right to strike, making it absolutely unfeasible".

As such, the strikes were called off on Thursday night, October 27, although the union plans to challenge these minimum services over the next few days "for violation of fundamental rights".

USO has blasted the "absolutely regrettable action of the Ministry of Transport, which seems to be more interested in protecting the interests of companies that violate the rights of workers than in respecting the fundamental right to strike of workers".

"USO-Air Sector will continue working to resume the negotiating table of I Handling Agreement at Ryanair, with the sole objective of regulating and shaping the working conditions of ground staff in the face of economic uncertainty in the coming months," it added.

The list of demands is extensive but among the most pressing concerns are wages for relief workers, shift structures and paid leave to attend medical appointments and summons for judicial proceedings.

Ryanair is not the only airline disrupting travellers' plans this winter. Cabin crew with Spanish airline Vueling have announced work stoppages between November and January.

Image: Archive