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Date Published: 22/12/2023

Christmas strike by Spanish baggage handlers postponed

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Iberia staff had threatened to down tools at airports across Spain during the busy festive period

Christmas strike by Spanish baggage handlers postponed

The Spanish government has decided to step in and act as an intermediary in the ongoing negotiations with Iberia to avoid a strike over Christmas and New Year that would have resulted in untold travel disruptions. Baggage handlers for the airline were scheduled to down tools at airports throughout Spain on December 29, 30, 31 and January 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

However, the unions haven’t ruled out further strike action in the coming weeks if some headway isn’t made in the talks. The government is somewhat limited in how effective it can be though. At the end of November, the Ministry of Transport was able to avert the strikes threatened by state-owned rail operator Renfe, but this situation is more complicated since Iberia is a private company.

The conflict has its roots in Iberia's failure during the handling contest by Aena at the end of September. After losing the contract for eight airports, the unions asked the airline to create an 'autohandling' service for Iberia and the rest of the IAG group airlines who lost out on new contracts.

When the service was put out to tender, Iberia lost out on providing ground services at Barcelona El Prat, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, Alicante, Gran Canaria, Tenerife South, Ibiza and Bilbao.

In other news: Spain Christmas weather forecast December 21-26

Image: Iberia

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