PROPERTY SEARCH
ARCHIVED - Spanish airline Iberia Express announces 10-day strike
Cabin crew from the low-cost carrier have scheduled work stoppages in Spain and Europe
In the latest dispute to hit low-cost airlines in Europe since the tenuous recovery from the coronavirus travel restrictions began in earnest this summer, cabin crew from International Airlines Group’s (IAG) budget airline Iberia Express have voted for industrial action to run between August 28 and September 6.
USO and SITCPLA unions are supporting the Spanish flight attendants, and a spokesperson confirmed the 10-day strike action on Wednesday August 17.
Iberia has expressed its "total incomprehension" about the proposed work stoppages, which have come after a series of “intensified” negotiations with the unions.
Cabin crew representatives have responded by explaining that staff are downing tools to demand better working conditions and salary increases that reflect rising inflation, similar requests to those made by staff from Ryanair and easyJet, whose crew have staged a series of strikes in Spain throughout the summer.
“We are very disappointed with Iberia Express's management, which showed it doesn't keep its word and doesn't respect workers who have struggled to keep the company afloat,” the statement said.
Specifically, the 500 or so workers are requesting an annual salary review since their wages have been frozen for the past seven years, according to USO. Furthermore, they demand a consolidation of the salary increase of 6.5% for 2021 for all levels, a 24-month seniority bonus for all workers in the group, as well as more equal transport bonuses and on-board sales commissions.
Iberia claims to have tried "by all means" to reach a "beneficial" agreement for the workers, but USO has been increasing its "demands", which company bosses view as “disproportionate.” The airline has renewed its appeal to the union to call off the strike and continue with negotiations instead.
Image: Archive
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
25% Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
