Spanish trade unions CCOO, UGT and USO have decided to suspend the strike action called for today, Wednesday, and next Friday at the ground handling company Groundforce, following recent contacts with the company’s management that have opened the way for dialogue.
As a result of these initial contacts, the three trade union federations will meet this Friday, 10 April, with the company to attempt to steer negotiations on the labour dispute, which affects ground staff at a dozen Spanish airports, according to sources from the organising unions speaking to Europa Press.
“The dispute is far from resolved, but it is always good to return to dialogue,” union sources have stated. However, they have warned that the call for an indefinite strike remains in place and will continue until a satisfactory agreement is reached.
The strike, which had been taking place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in three time slots (05:00–07:00, 11:00–17:00 and 22:00–00:00), has caused widespread delays, flight cancellations and the accumulation of thousands of unprocessed suitcases at airports such as El Prat, Barajas, Palma and others in recent weeks.
The unions are demanding compliance with the wage commitments and the restoration of purchasing power set out in the collective agreement. The strike has caused a number of serious incidents with flights taking off without the luggage.
Among the incidents that, according to the UGT union, are occurring at the airports are widespread delays averaging one hour per flight, flights left unattended and essential services “overwhelmed”, flight cancellations, thousands of suitcases left unloaded or delivered late, a build-up of aircraft on the apron, last-minute changes to airline procedures, operational overload and increased work-related stress.
However, one strike may be over but another is taking its place. A walkout, called by unions Union Sindical de Reguladores Aereos and Comisiones Obreras, is set to begin at midnight on April 17 and could cause widespread delays and cancellations. The strike targets control towers operated by private firm SAERCO, which manages services at a number of busy regional airports, particularly during peak travel periods.
Union leaders say the action has been triggered by long-standing concerns over staffing shortages, working conditions and safety risks. They claim years of staff cuts have left remaining workers under intense pressure, with insufficient rest and unpredictable schedules.