The threat of possible strikes at the air-traffic control centre in Barcelona that would coincide with the start of summer is causing some unease within the tourism industry and Balearic government circles. The Usca union, as reported in the Bulletin yesterday, has announced 89% support for strike action in protest at overwork and lack of rest caused by staff shortages at the centre. Flights in and out of the Balearics are controlled from this centre, as are flights along the eastern coast of Spain.
Enaire, the Spanish government company which is responsible for air navigation, has said that it is totally prepared to immediately negotiate with the controllers. It adds that, as from the start of August, there will be 58 more controllers at three airports in Catalonia - Barcelona, Gerona and Reus - although the threatened strike does appear to be more an issue with the control centre rather than airport control towers.
If there are strikes, the first - for 24 hours - would be on 20 June. Before this, there is the more immediate threat of strikes by Vueling pilots. The Sepla pilots union has called these for 25 and 26 April and 4 and 5 May. They are essentially to do with pilot pay and working conditions. The airline, as it stated the week before last, has accused the union of not wanting to negotiate on pay, only on how planned growth affects pilots. It also said that up to 200 new pilots are being taken on this year.
Concern at the industrial action by pilots has led the president of the Balearics travel agencies association, Antoni Abrines, to call for a meeting between Vueling management and the Balearic transport ministry. The director-general of ports and airports, Xavier Ramis, is worried that the tourism season is being threatened, especially by the air-traffic controllers, so it intends getting involved in trying to gain agreements.