EasyJet Spain Strikes: 80 Flights Cancelled
- A cabin crew strike in Spain led to the cancellation of 80 EasyJet flights Friday, marking the third day of industrial action.
- The cancellations affected flights across EasyJet's four Spanish bases: Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Alicante, and Málaga.
- The strike, which began Wednesday, aims to secure improved pay for EasyJet's Spain-based cabin crew.
EasyJet passengers faced significant disruption as 80 flights were canceled on Friday due to a cabin crew strike in Spain. The USO union, representing the flight attendants, is fighting for improved pay parity with colleagues in other European bases, highlighting the essential role of crew in ensuring smooth operations. This industrial action, now in its third day, follows 124 cancellations earlier, bringing the total to 204 grounded flights. The ongoing dispute stems from the union’s push for wages that reflect European standards, contrasting with EasyJet management’s stance that local contracts make comparisons difficult. Delays and cancellations are impacting travelers with the cabin crew’s key role in these disruptions. News Directory 3 covers this developing story, and further strikes loom in August if a resolution isn’t reached. Discover what’s next for EasyJet and affected passengers.
EasyJet Strike: Cabin Crew’s Role in Flight Cancellations Soars
A cabin crew strike in Spain led to the cancellation of 80 EasyJet flights Friday, marking the third day of industrial action. The USO, the union representing the airline’s Spanish flight attendants, has not ruled out further stoppages in August if negotiations fail.
The cancellations affected flights across EasyJet’s four Spanish bases: Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Alicante, and Málaga. Seventeen flights where canceled in Palma de Mallorca, 11 in Málaga, four in Alicante, and eight in Barcelona.
The strike, which began Wednesday, aims to secure improved pay for EasyJet’s Spain-based cabin crew. The union seeks to equalize their wages with those of colleagues in other European countries where the airline operates.
The previous two days of strikes resulted in 124 canceled flights, bringing the total to 204 grounded flights over the three-day period. The cabin crew’s role in these disruptions is meaningful, highlighting the impact of labor disputes on air travel.
Pier Luigi Copello, general secretary of USO at EasyJet Spain, said the workforce demands fair working conditions that align with European standards, especially given the rising cost of living in cities like Málaga and Barcelona. He added that EasyJet flight attendants in Spain earn around the minimum wage. The union is emphasizing the crucial role its members play in ensuring smooth operations and passenger safety.
EasyJet management, though, maintains that comparing working conditions across different countries is not feasible due to local contracts. The airline acknowledges the role of its employees but insists on adhering to existing agreements.
What’s next
The possibility of an indefinite strike in August looms if EasyJet and the union fail to reach an agreement. Further negotiations are expected to take place in the coming weeks.