The General Union of Workers (UGT) has announced a state-wide strike at Azul Handling, part of the Ryanair group, in response to what they describe as “continuous precariousness” and “constant breaches” of labour rights.
Azul Handling provides ground handling services to Ryanair group airlines at numerous Spanish airports.
It will face a series of work stoppages at all of its work centres and operational bases in Spain from 15 August. That includes airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Alicante, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote and Santiago de Compostela.
Initially, the strike will take place on 15, 16 and 17 August, in three time slots: from 05:00 to 09:00, from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 21:00 to 23:59.
It will then continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 31 December 2025.
If you are travelling to or from any of the above airports from mid-August onwards, you are advised to check with Ryanair if your flight will be affected.
UGT calls for better conditions for its workers
The strikes follow a request for mediation by the Air Sector of FeSMC-UGT to the Interconfederal Service of Mediation and Arbitration (SIMA), aimed at opening talks before any industrial action.
According to the union, the reasons for the protest include the lack of consolidation of working hours for permanent part-time staff, the imposition of additional hours under duress, and what they describe as excessive disciplinary measures.
They also highlight ongoing breaches of the Joint Committee of the Sectoral Agreement’s recommendations on economic guarantees and pay bonuses. UGT accuses the company of imposing unlawful limits on returning to work after medical leave and blocking family-friendly working hours by refusing to offer flexible schedules.
“Azul Handling maintains a strategy of precariousness and pressure on the workforce that violates basic labour rights and systematically ignores union demands,” said José Manuel Pérez Grande, federal secretary of the FeSMC-UGT air union.
The union is calling on Azul Handling to withdraw the sanctions, comply with the rulings of the agreement and open real negotiations to improve the working conditions of more than 3,000 workers throughout the country.
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