Apparently the Spanish ATCO's have some labour issues.
Currently they are understaffed so they need to work overtime on a regular basis. Overtime hours are paid very well. This gives the ATCO's an average of
225.000 euro's gross a year.
Now their employer wants to stop the understaffing, meaning that the salaries drop.
So for the moment no directs. And as well: on some SID's out of BCN you now have to maintain 6000 ft until passing NITBA, as published. In my 5 years flying out of BCN I have always received an instruction for an unrestricted climb. Until last week. Flying 8 miles at 6000 ft. Ridicilous.