Workers at another Spanish airline are threatening to walkout in a dispute over pay and post-pandemic working conditions. Cabin crew at low-cost carrier Iberia Express plan are planning to strike from August 28 to September 6, unions said.
The airline, operated by British Airways parent company IAG, operates mainly short-haul routes across Europe from Spanish capital Madrid, including London Gatwick, Newcastle, Manchester and Edinburgh. It also operates charter routes for other airlines.
The dispute involving the USO and SITCPLA unions, follows several walkouts by other airline staff throughout Europe. Iberia Express crews are demanding better working conditions and pay rises to offset inflation, both unions said in a joint statement.
"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," it said. Workers claimed they had suffered a serious pay shortfall amid pandemic travel restrictions where many lost bonuses or were retained on furlough.
Staff at easyJet and Ryanair have been involved in pay disputes this summer. Crews at Ryanair have a series of strikes planned all the way through until January, but management said effect on flights would be minimal.
