Spanish Airport Workers Strike

[Sunnyjohn]

The relevant Spanish unions announced on Tuesday that they had given notice to the Spanish government of 22 days of proposed strikes which could take place between April and July. The staff are protesting about the government's proposed privatisation of AENA - the Spanish airport authority.

The Spanish government announced the privatisation last November as a way of reducing its overall debt. AENA currently makes a loss to the government of millions of Euros a year. Several companies have expressed an interest in buying AENA but obviously, if they do, they will reduce costs and fire staff.

If the government refuses to back down, the strikes will go ahead, thus depriving the Spanish government of millions of Euros in tourism. If the government backs down, they stand to lose millions of Euros financing AENA. It's a no-win situation for the government - and for the tourists.

[PAXboy]

Gosh - you mean that, after 35 years, the Spanish are finally catching up with the Brits??

Truly, mankind learns nothing. First you over indulge, then you get a hangover. Almost like being on holiday in Spain ... :}

[Sunnyjohn]

I have to say, PAXboy. that the recent histories of the two countries are somewhat different!

[OFSO]

Looks like O'Leary is getting out of GRN just in time.......

......just in time to shift ops to PPG and catch the annual French ATC strikes, that is.

And after that it's time for Eyjafjallajökull to start popping off again....and then it'll be the annual "snowfall catches the Brits unaware" miseryfest.

And somewhere in that busy timetable we also have to fit a BA cabin staff strike.

Air travel ? fun ?

[PAXboy]

Hi, Sunnyjohn, I was attempting a reference to the kind of pointless strikes we had 30 years ago that got everyone nowhere, and the govt selling off the family silver.

I am not against all sell-offs, some have worked in the this country. Also, of course, Spain is larger and a more disparate population. However, there is a strong waft of de ja vu in this bit of news.

[Sunnyjohn]

PAXboy - I agree - and the sell-off is inevitable. This is a last ditch stand by Spanish airport staff who have seen their conditions of service improve over the last few years to the point where they are the best paid in Europe - and the most expensive. They know it's about to go down the pan and there's nothing they can do - except have a last protest.

[sanjaime]

I understand the Spanish Airport workers strikes this summer are planned as follows :

"A total of 22 days of stoppages are planned from April 20 with flights to Portugal and Morocco also expected to be affected as they fly through Spanish airspace. The dates are April 20, 21, 24, 25 and 3, May 2, 14, 15, 19 and 20, June 13, 23, 30, and July 1, 2, 3, 4, 15 and 31."

Several of our apartment rental customers are due to fly out to Spain on some of these days in May and June and could be impacted by the strikes. So far they have not had any information from Easyjet or Jet2 regarding their flights on these days.

Any idea when the Spanish Airport Workers will confirm that the strikes will go ahead ?

[PAXboy]

I presume they will go one section at a time to maximise the problems and give the carrot they will call off the rest when they get what they ask. Standard blackmail.

My brother and his family are affected on their return by one of the dates, I sent them this:

Simon Calder: Spanish airport strikes Q&A - News & Advice, Travel - The Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/simon-calder-spanish-airport-strikes-qampa-2236591.html)

[Sunnyjohn]

This is a good link and, as I see it, pretty well sums up the situation. The question as to whether the strikes will go ahead and on which days is, unfortunately, in the lap of the gods. As the Independent correspondent states, just posting notice of the strikes has caused potential customers to change their holiday plans. On that basis, the Spanish government might face off the strikers on the basis that the tourist economy has already been damaged and they therefore have little to lose. Politically, it is quite likely, since the current President, Zapatero, is unlikely to seek re-election next year, the person waiting in the wings, current deputy prime minister Rubalcaba, as been taken ill, and there is no other likely contender. So the current left-wing government is likely to lose the elections and therefore probably feel they have little to lose by facing down the strikers and going ahead the the privatisation. In short, it's likely to be quite a mess, unfortunately.

[A2QFI]

Does the routing of flights from Gatwick to Funchal make it likely/possible that they would be affected by a strike in Spanish Airspace? At the moment I am OK for flying out and could be delayed on my return but the airline will have to lodge and feed me, as I understand the rules.

[Evanelpus]

Oh pooh!

I'm due to fly back to Luton from Alicante on 30th June. What now?

[Shack37]

Señoras y Señores, it's early days yet. Best to wait and see (as much as you can). The population here is getting a little tired of strikes/demonstrations etc and there is precious little sympathy for the air travel community after the controller's actions recently.

[Sunnyjohn]

True - and the Spanish government have hinted that they will utilise military personnel to avoid the airports closing.

Incidentally, Shack37, how did you know that all the posters hear were male?

[Shack37]

Sunnyjohn
A small edit on my original post in recognition that there most certainly are ladies present.:ok:

I hope the situation does get sorted, I'm not sure the Mil controllers could cover all areas. I've got a trip planned for May 16th which, although not a strike day, would almost certainly be affected by the knock on effect.

[Phalconphixer]

I hope the situation does get sorted, I'm not sure the Mil controllers could cover all areas. I've got a trip planned for May 16th which, although not a strike day, would almost certainly be affected by the knock on effect.

Does the routing of flights from Gatwick to Funchal make it likely/possible that they would be affected by a strike in Spanish Airspace?

Given that this latest round of industrial action is being brought by the Baggage Handlers and Firecrews, I fail to see the relevance of references to ATC controllers!

pp

[Sunnyjohn]

Shack37
Nice one!

I believe you're right - I can't see how the military can cover, without perpetrating serious unrest, that is.

[Sunnyjohn]

Given that this latest round of industrial action is being brought by the Baggage Handlers and Firecrews, I fail to see the relevance of references to ATC controllers!

Good point. So far the controllers have not stated that they will take part. However, whether they do or not is irrelevant since aircraft will be unable to use airports that do not have fire crews available.

[wowzz]

Looks like some good news for once:
Spanish airport strikes called off - www.travelweekly.co.uk (http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2011/03/16/36505/spanish+airport+strikes+called+off.html)

[PAXboy]

Deal bid to avert Spanish airport strikes - News & Advice, Travel - The Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/deal-bid-to-avert-spanish-airport-strikes-2243267.html)

The state-owned company which runs Spain's airports has reached a preliminary agreement with unions that have called 22 days of strikes during peak holiday seasons in protest at plans to privatise half the firm.

The pact would guarantee workers' jobs and current working conditions once the government proceeds with plans to privatise part of AENA.
That sounds like total capitulation to me, with the problem successfully pushed off to wait for another politician. :hmm:

[Sunnyjohn]

No-one will buy AENA with current working conditions maintained - it simply isn't viable. This is a quick-fix to avoid strikes and damage to the tourist industry. The problem is still there and we haven't heard the last of it.

[PAXboy]

As I said above, just like the UK 30 years ago. Eventually, something (or someone) will break ... :zzz: