MADRID – Strikes in the European aviation industry is causing cash chaos. In addition to the serious staff shortage affecting the sector, a new wave of strikes in August will just add to the problem.
To the strikes by Ryanair and EasyJet cabin crew and Lufthansa ground crew, those of EasyJet’s pilots can now be added for August.
See also: Weekly strikes at Ryanair in Spain until January 2023
Despite saving the last days of the cabin crew (TCP) strike on Thursday, the Spanish pilots’ union SEPLA has called for strikes in August. These will take place in three periods of 72 hours each.
The interruptions will take place on the 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th and 29th. This is “due to the company’s refusal to restore the working conditions the pilots had before the pandemic. And also to negotiate the second collective agreement”.
See also: European airline strikes, what to expect this summer?
The union emphasises that this is the “last resort” as all attempts to reach an agreement have failed. In the conciliation meeting, which was held on July 22, the company did not present any improvements to its proposal.
The pilots’ representatives have called the strikes after more than six months of negotiations and six meetings during which three social proposals were presented. However, all of which they say have been rejected by the company.
See also: Luggage chaos at airports in Europe, what’s going on?
Back to pre-pandemic working conditions
The union assures that the “sole purpose” is to restore the working conditions that the pilots had in 2019. Because now the number of flights is “very similar” to that of two years ago. They also want to resume negotiations on the signing of the new collective labour agreement. Sepla, however, denounces that easyJet has refused to comply with a request from the group of pilots. And, furthermore, that they have presented a new proposal that further worsens conditions in real terms.
Working conditions in Spain are worse than elsewhere in Europe
Finally, the pilots’ representatives criticise that the contract terms offered by the airline in Spain have always been worse than those in the rest of Europe. Moreover, they are “even worse” with the new proposal made in the latest negotiations.
