Bid to avert airport summer strikes
National transport department holds talks with air traffic controllers
GOVERNMENT chiefs held a meeting with air traffic controllers on Wednesday in an effort to prevent strikes over the busy summer holiday period.
President of the USCA union, Pedro Gragera said the talks were ‘very positive’ but noted that the possibility of in- dustrial action has not been ruled out.
The air traffic controllers union is calling for more staff to be employed to face up to the ris- ing workload of members, as flights into Spain’s airports continue to increase each year with the country’s tourism boom.
After Wednesday’s meeting with secretary of state for infrastructure, Pedro Saura, the union boss stated: “It was a good meeting. We want long-term plans put in place and the ministry understands the need to bring in more personnel.
“However, we cannot rule out calling strikes during the summer.”
Yesterday (Thursday), as Costa Blanca News went to press, Sr Gragera was due to meet the director general of public company Enaire, which controls Spanish airspace.
He said this was to reach an agreement ‘to have a summer which is good for everyone’.
Talks will centre on the number of new air traffic controllers who will be taken on by the public company from now until 2025.
They were also set to discuss ‘the situation in the control tower at Barcelona airport’.
On Wednesday Sr Gragera stressed that his union would prefer to reach a deal.
He added: “As we all know, agreements do not exist until they are signed.
“However, we are prepared to negotiate everything but we want to see some light at the end of the tunnel.”
The union chief noted that Spain has the oldest team of air traffic controllers in Europe with an average age of 51 to 52.
He said it was imperative for the government to take on more personnel to head off a future crisis.
A government spokesman said that Wednesday’s talks had been positive and they hope an agreement can be reached.
Ryanair cabin crew threat
Meanwhile, low-cost airlines Ryanair faces its own threat after unions representing its cabin crew in Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy said on Monday they would go on strike unless the airline accepts their demands by tomorrow (Saturday).
Unions demand Ryanair staff be employed according to the national legislation of the country they operate in, rather than that of Ireland as is currently the case.
They also asked that the airline give contractors the same work conditions as its own employees.
Finally, they demanded that Ryanair recognise unions for pilots and cabin crew and that it negotiate with a representative chosen by the unions and not the company.