[Spain] EasyJet cabin crew plan strikes over pay as peak season begins

EasyJet cabin staff based in Spain intend to strike for nine days in July over the ongoing pay row, just as the peak summer travel season gets underway, Sky News reports.

Staff plan to walk out in three phases across the month; between July 1 and July 3, between July 15 and 17 and between July 29 and 31.

Miguel Galan from the USO union told reporters that cabin workers are protesting against low wages.

The airline's flight attendants in Spain are demanding a 40 per cent increase in their basic salaries, Mr Galan said.

"The company underestimated the outlook, was more pessimistic and conservative and is not ready for the demand… this generates a domino effect on us."

The USO says it represents 80 per cent of the 450 staff based in Spain. The union still hoped an agreement could be reached to avoid the strike when it attended a meeting with management yesterday.

The news from Spain follows EasyJet’s announcement of plans to cut more UK flights over the busy summer period.

It is believed that up to 10,000 of 160,000 flights on sale for July, August and September may no longer be available.

Chief executive Johan Lundgren, however, said the airline had not yet decided how many cancellations there might be during those months.

EasyJet has reportedly attributed increased turnaround times, delayed flights and cancellations to staff shortages in ground handling and at airports, as well as air traffic control delays.

Source: Sky News

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

EasyJet cabin staff based in Spain intend to strike for nine days in July over the ongoing pay row, just as the peak summer travel season gets underway, Sky News reports.

Staff plan to walk out in three phases across the month; between July 1 and July 3, between July 15 and 17 and between July 29 and 31.

Miguel Galan from the USO union told reporters that cabin workers are protesting against low wages.

The airline's flight attendants in Spain are demanding a 40 per cent increase in their basic salaries, Mr Galan said.

"The company underestimated the outlook, was more pessimistic and conservative and is not ready for the demand… this generates a domino effect on us."

The USO says it represents 80 per cent of the 450 staff based in Spain. The union still hoped an agreement could be reached to avoid the strike when it attended a meeting with management yesterday.

The news from Spain follows EasyJet’s announcement of plans to cut more UK flights over the busy summer period.

It is believed that up to 10,000 of 160,000 flights on sale for July, August and September may no longer be available.

Chief executive Johan Lundgren, however, said the airline had not yet decided how many cancellations there might be during those months.

EasyJet has reportedly attributed increased turnaround times, delayed flights and cancellations to staff shortages in ground handling and at airports, as well as air traffic control delays.

Source: Sky News

(Link and quotes via original reporting)