Ryanair ground staff have announced a series of strikes across Spain during the height of the summer holidays.
The Spanish UGT trade union has officially called for the industrial action, which will begin on August 15.
The workers, who are managed by Azul Handling, will walk out on 22 key days and during peak hours until December 31 – unless an agreement is reached.
The UGT has indicated that the strike will begin on August 15 at all of Ryanair’s bases and work centres in Spain between 5am and 9am, 12pm and 3pm, and 9pm and 11.59pm.
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It has also been called for the following two days, August 16 and 17, and every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until December 31.
The affected bases in Spain are Valencia, Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Malaga, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Girona, Tenerife Sur, Lanzarote, and Santiago de Compostela
The strike could have a significant impact on Ryanair’s operations, especially during peak season.
The strike is planned for the entire Azul Handling workforce, made up of more than 3,000 people.
Trade unions have cited a wide range of alleged abusive practices by the company, including excessive and repressive disciplinary policies, abuse of overtime, disregard for the workers’ legal representation and more.
The unions claim there is ‘discriminatory treatment’ of part-time workers and non-compliance with final court rulings.
It has also complained of a violation of the right to a work-life balance, including the refusal to specify work schedules.
The CGT (General Workers’ Commissions) asserts that the working situation at Azul Handling has become ‘unsustainable,’ accusing the company of ‘making employment precarious’ and ‘committing all kinds of abuses that affect both payrolls and basic social rights.’
‘We regret having to resort to a strike, but they have left us no other option,’ the union said in a statement.
A Ryanair spokesperson said: ‘Ryanair does not expect any disruption to our operation as a result of these third-party handling strikes in Spain.’
Read more Spain news at the Spanish Eye.
