More than 3,000 Azul Handling baggage handlers are gearing up to strike on August 15, 16, and 17, followed by every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the end of the year.
While workers are legally required to provide a “minimum service” yet to be determined, the industrial action could still cause significant disruption for travellers.
Azul Handling delivers baggage handling services for Ryanair at its Spanish operations. The strikes have been declared following hospitality workers on 12 Spanish islands announcing their own walkout plans.
Spanish strikes – what airports are affected?
Valencia, Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Ibiza, Palma, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote and Santiago airports are set to be affected.
The strike will impact all operations and work centres in Spain and will occur between 5am and 9am, noon and 3pm and 9pm to 11.59pm.
The union has stated its decision to strike stems from what it perceives as a failure to create stable employment and consolidate working hours for permanent part-time workers.
Your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed
The unions said in a statement: “UGT regrets having to go to these extremes and all the damages that may occur, for which the direct responsibility will be solely and exclusively the company and its reckless action with the workforce.”
The FeSMC-UGT Air Sector is calling for the firm to reverse the penalties, adhere to Joint Commission recommendations and immediately begin negotiations to enhance working conditions for more than 3,000 affected employees across the country.
A Ryanair spokesperson said: “Ryanair does not expect any disruption to our operation as a result of these third-party handling strikes in Spain.”
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The news comes as Brits travelling to Spain from October onwards will also be met with a different-looking entry system.
Instead of a paper stamp upon entering countries such as Spain and Italy, there will be a new digital scan.
The changes will take place in Europe’s Schengen zone within Europe.