Iberia faces more strikes from Jan. 25

Iberia (IB) is facing a new wave of strikes by its pilots represented by the SEPLA union, while ground workers and cabin crew have also voted for industrial action, although for different reasons.

Pilots will strike Jan. 25, Jan. 27 and Jan. 30 to protest company plans to create a lower-cost carrier, Iberia Express, for its loss-making medium-haul network (ATW Daily News, Oct. 6, 2011). The new strikes follow four one-day walk-outs Dec. 18. , Dec. 29, Jan. 9 and Jan. 11 (ATW Daily News, Jan. 9).

The majority of unions representing IB’s 16,000 ground workers on Monday approved industrial action to support their demands to extend the job guarantee clause in their current collective bargaining agreement to Dec. 31, 2015. Ground workers plan to stop working every Friday and Monday from Feb. 3 onward. They have not yet officially called for a strike, but union representatives said they will notify the ministry of transport next week. 

IB cabin crew expects to vote on the issue Jan. 20, an IB spokesperson told ATW.   

IB management is reluctant to guarantee job security for all workers for a further three years because of the difficult economic outlook and high oil prices, the spokesperson said. “Management is not per se against the extension of the job guarantees but feels this should be linked to a renegotiation of all elements in the collective bargaining agreement, including salary, work practices and productivity.”

Regarding Iberia Express, plans are proceeding to have the new carrier fully operational at the start of the IATA summer schedule March 25. Two-thirds of the 15 management positions are filled, the IB spokesperson said, confirming the carrier will launch with four Airbus A320s and expand to 13 by year end. Route details and corporate image will be revealed over the next few weeks.