Pilots working for low-lost airline easyJet in Spain will walkout tomorrow (Friday) on the first of a series of strikes over pay and conditions. Unions have called three 72-hour periods of strike action with the first from August 12 to 14 with the carrier pledging to operate around 60 per cent of scheduled services.
More walkouts are planned from August 19 to 21 and August 27 to 29 and some routes between Spain and the UK could be hit. Unions are demanding a return to working conditions enjoyed by pilots before the pandemic and more negotiations over a new pay agreement.
Pilots working from easyJet bases in Barcelona, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca will be involved in the walkout. The airline claimed it was planning to operate a full schedule despite the strikes, but admitted that some disruption was expected.
The airline stated: "Should the industrial action go ahead we expect some disruption to our flying programme to and from Malaga, Palma and Barcelona during the strike period but at this stage, easyJet plans to operate its full schedule and we would like to reassure customers that we will do everything possible to minimise any disruption.”
Spain-based cabin crew at easyJet suspended a planned weekend strike last month after reaching a deal over salaries, unions stated.
Meanwhile, further disruption is possible because of a strike by airport workers in Portugal. Lisbon, Faro, Porto and Funchal (Madeira) airports could be affected by walkout between August 26-28. The action involves baggage handling staff at the country’s four main gateway airports.
