Iberia Airport Workers’ Strike Continues Over Handling Service Dispute
The unions CC.OO., UGT, and USO of Iberia Airport Service (Iberia’s ground handling company) are sustaining the strike scheduled for one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, the Reyes weekend. The unions are persisting with the strikes due to the lack of agreement following a meeting held on December 28, between union representatives and the management of Iberia at the Service of Mediation and Arbitration of the Community of Madrid (SIMA).
Strike Period and Affected Airports in Andalucía
The strike is set to take place between January 5 and 8, 2024, a time when many travellers return home after the Christmas holidays. The protest revolves around the handling service’s subrogation, which occurred after Iberia lost the bid to provide this service at eight major Spanish airports. The impacted Andalucían airports include Granada, Jerez de la Frontera, Málaga, and Sevilla.
Reasons Behind the Strike
Iberia’s loss in the bidding process results in the handling service being taken over by new companies. The 3,000 ground workers of the company would then need to be employed by these new entities, with concerns raised by USO about the potential jeopardy of a thousand jobs. Workers have advocated for the creation of auto handling, but Iberia has rejected this option citing cost concerns and potential profitability issues. Iberia assures that the jobs and working conditions of its employees are safeguarded, expressing openness to future negotiations under the condition that strikes are avoided.
