[Spain] Christmas airport strikes called off

Planned strike action by workers at Spanish airport operator Aena around Christmas and New Year has been called off after the company agreed to reinstate an annual bonus, EuroNews reports.

The workers’ union CCOO confirmed the cancellation of the strike in a statement on December 15.

Workers affiliated with CCOO had reportedly planned to strike on December 22, 23, 30 and 31 and on January 5 and January 6 to demand the reinstatement of a bonus that was suspended during the pandemic.

The company will resume paying an annual bonus in 2023 in two instalments in January and March, the union said.

An Aena spokesperson declined to comment.

Soaring consumer prices and the cost of living crisis have forced Spanish unions to push reluctant employers for pay rises. Strike action has been seen in multiple sectors including fashion retail and airlines.

Unlike other European countries, such as the UK, air travellers in Spain were for the most part spared airport chaos in the summer of 2021 as Aena’s furlough scheme during the pandemic allowed it to retain most of its workers. Therefore it didn’t face staff shortages when travel picked up again.

Planned strike action by workers at Spanish airport operator Aena around Christmas and New Year has been called off after the company agreed to reinstate an annual bonus, EuroNews reports.

The workers’ union CCOO confirmed the cancellation of the strike in a statement on December 15.

Workers affiliated with CCOO had reportedly planned to strike on December 22, 23, 30 and 31 and on January 5 and January 6 to demand the reinstatement of a bonus that was suspended during the pandemic.

The company will resume paying an annual bonus in 2023 in two instalments in January and March, the union said.

An Aena spokesperson declined to comment.

Soaring consumer prices and the cost of living crisis have forced Spanish unions to push reluctant employers for pay rises. Strike action has been seen in multiple sectors including fashion retail and airlines.

Unlike other European countries, such as the UK, air travellers in Spain were for the most part spared airport chaos in the summer of 2021 as Aena’s furlough scheme during the pandemic allowed it to retain most of its workers. Therefore it didn’t face staff shortages when travel picked up again.