August could bring major disruptions to passengers flying to Spain on low-cost carriers.
Nine days of strike action by EasyJet pilots in Spain over pay and working conditions will be held this month.
Today (12 August), marks the start of three 72-hour strikes. Spanish Union of Airline Pilots (SEPLA), announced that further walkouts will be held from 19 to 21 August and 27-29 August. It is demanding that pilots’ working conditions be restored to pre-COVID-19.
The union is also asking easyJet if it will provide new multi-year contracts to its pilots.
“This is the last possible recourse, as all attempts by the pilots’ representatives to reach an agreement have failed,” SEPLA said.
It stated that representatives called the strike after six months’ worth of negotiations in which easyJet rejected three suggestions from the union. SEPLA claims Spanish pilots have had to endure worse conditions than those in Europe.
EasyJet said it was “disappointed with this action at this critical time for the industry,” adding that negotiations were ongoing.
Reuters was also told by the low-cost airline that they were aware of a pilot strike at their bases in the near future. Barcelona, Malaga and Palma
Are there any other airline strikes in Spain?
Airlines are facing waves industrial actionAs passenger numbers return back to pre-pandemic levels, the busy summer season will see a return in passenger numbers Staff shortages. Workers are also calling for better wages and working conditions because of the current cost of living crisis.
Spanish cabin crews of easyJet called off a three-day strike scheduled for 29 July. They reached a deal with the airline which included higher pay according to Unión Sindical Obrera (USO).
The union said the agreement “does represent an important approach to the salaries and conditions that our colleagues have in Europe”.
After two Ryanair cabin crew unions were called for, the announcement of additional walkouts in Spain follows. a five month strikeBeginning in August
USO, one of the groups, stated to Euronews that the industrial strike will be held from Monday through Thursday each week and last 24 hours per day. Ryanair stated that it expects minimal disruption from the industrial action this winter.
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