Cabin crew at Spanish airline Iberia Express plan 10-day strike

Wednesday, August 17, 2022 9:55 PM MYT

MADRID, August 17 – Cabin crew working for IAG’s low-cost airline Iberia Express plan to go on strike from August 28 to September 6, a union statement said today, as part of a another labor dispute stemming from the industry’s turbulent post-Covid recovery.

The strike at Iberia Express, backed by unions USO and SITCPLA, follows walkouts across Europe as staff complain about pay amid rising living costs and deteriorating working conditions sparked by a travel boom that followed the lifting of pandemic restrictions.

Cabin crew are demanding better working conditions and wage increases to offset inflation, the two unions said in a joint statement.

“We are very disappointed with the management of Iberia Express, which has shown that it does not keep its word and does not respect the workers who have fought to keep the company afloat,” the statement said.

Iberia Express said the unions’ decision to call a strike was “incomprehensible” as talks are ongoing and a third union has accepted the company’s proposals.

“We are convinced that the strike can be avoided and that we can continue to talk to ensure stability and provide good service to our customers,” Iberia Express said in a statement.

The airline connects Madrid to around 40 cities throughout Europe.

Airline workers lost some of their income during the pandemic as many were furloughed and some bonuses were suspended.

As travel resumed at an unexpected speed, many airlines found themselves with staff shortages.

The Iberia strike follows similar strikes in Spain at Ryanair, the country’s biggest airline by passengers, and easyJet over the summer.

Some Ryanair cabin crew were on their third day on strike this week, although the effects were muted as no flights were canceled in the country, although several dozen were delayed.

Ryanair crews plan to strike on weekdays until January. —Reuters

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