Airport ground staff strike action 18th & 26th August.

Info for anyone coming or going on those dates:

http://www.4everspain.com/blog/two-days-strike-action-by-spanish-airport-ground-staff-announced/

All Spanish airports will be affected on August 18 and 26.

Ground staff from handling companies at Spanish airports have announced a strike on the day that the Pope should arrive in Madrid for the World Youth Day.

Unions USO, UGT and CCOO have said that they will carry out 24 hour stoppages on the 18th and 26th of August. They say that all handling companies will be affected, including the movement of suitcases, check in staff, disabled assistance, and those who operate the finger air-bridges to the planes, as well as cargo and postal services.

Union bosses are meeting tomorrow Tuesday with Aceata, the patronal of the handling sector, to try and reach an agreement on minimum services.

It’s estimated that the most affected airports will be Barajas, El Prat, Palma, Málaga, Las Palmas and Tenerife.

Unions claim that management has failed to meet previous agreements in the sector, and also complain about the Development Ministry issuing new handling licences and ERE early redundancy plans in the sector.

The call comes as German air traffic controllers have called new strike action for tomorrow, Tuesday.

Grrrrrrr!  Just happen to be flying to Madrid on 26th for a wedding. Have been trying to get through to airline for an hour and a half now, still in the queue .

Just got  through to BA and they said 'what strike' !  Hadn't a clue, what a waste of time hanging on the phone.

Don't know whether to spend a fortune changing flights to a day earlier or wait to see if the strike is called off.

Indeed. My Dad is flying back Barajas to Bristol on the 18th. I´ve advised him to bring an extra pair of pants.

Actually my next door neighbour is a baggage handler for BA / Iberia at Barajas - I´ll ask him how disruptive it is likely to be.

That would be helpful, thanks.

My next door neighbour was blissfully unaware of any planned action. Makes you wonder how this sort of thing is organised, he hasn´t been ballotted. If he finds out something he´ll let us know.

Thanks. I hope it is just a threat and doesn't go ahead.

Has anyone heard anymore about the threatened strike ? I am poised to change my flights the minute I hear the strike is going ahead.

Only what I have read in the Spanish press; 2 million travellers likely to be affected.

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/08/09/economia/1312888295.html

 Thanks for that Orinoco. It's not looking good.

Think you will find it has been called off, I tried to put a link on but it wouldn't allow me.

 Thanks. That will save a lot of expense and hassle changing flights.  There will also be one very relieved bride in Madrid at the moment as at least 40 guests are flying over on the 26th.

What a nightmare for you all, strikers are all about themselves and don't care how much stress and worry it causes other people. Sorry but we need to go back 50 years and if you work hard you get rewarded, if you don't like your job then look for another. Why should everyone get paid the same whether they work hard or not?.

Strike called off news link

http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/19944/airport-workers-strike-called-off

Gill556

I suppose you really believe that workers should take what they're given! Of course some actions are somewhat on the "greedy" side. Maybe they just want to be like the bankers! On the oher hand, not too many Spaniards want to return to the 1960s, Franco and all.

no but I do believe that you should get rewarded for the effort you put in whereas now, you cannot be paid more than anyone else doing the same job as yourself even if you do twice the work.

That would be very helpful. Thanks