Spanish airports hit: 40 flights reportedly leave without luggage

The worker strikes caused major disruption at 12 airports including Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao.

A new development has emerged in industrial action causing chaos at Spanish airports over the Easter period, with tensions rising as disciplinary action is pursued against some workers. The departure of the company Groundforce affected the airports of Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao, with the cancellation of eight flights in Barcelona.

Across the Canary Islands, officials of the UGT union said that the firm has developed a policy of intimidation to prevent workers from participating in the strike by initiating disciplinary proceedings against them, Canarias 7 reports. Comisiones Obreras Canarias (CCOO) reported a major disruption in ground handling services, with more than 40 people leaving without passenger luggage and bottles appearing in baggage claim areas – conditions also witnessed at the Canary Islands airport.

The industrial action continues in the operation of Groundforce, which is part of the Globalia group that serves the Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Málaga, Gran Canaria, Valencia, Ibiza, Bilbao, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura airports, as well as the air cargo operation in Zaragoza.

Union representatives maintain the strike is due to the company’s breach of a collective bargaining agreement, particularly regarding inflation-linked wage increases accrued from 2022 onwards. The Lanzarote Business Confederation (CEL) has raised its awareness of the situation caused by industrial action by Groundforce ground staff, which is causing disruption to airport services during one of the island’s peak business periods: Easter. The business group highlights the important role of Lanzarote Airport as an important resource for the island’s communications and economic prosperity.

This argument has particular weight in the Canary Islands, where air travel is important for mobility and the economy. The industrial action affects the airports of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, according to reports.

The union emphasizes that the walkouts will continue “until progress is made in negotiations to ensure compliance with the collective agreement and decent working conditions” for all workers. If the situation remains unchanged, the workers are considering extending the strike action beyond the Easter period.

The president of CEL Beatriz Salazar expressed concern that “we are in a very critical period for the economy of Lanzarote, where the stability of the airport’s operations is important to ensure the normal development of tourism and commercial activities.” He urged all parties involved to prevent this dispute from causing serious consequences, reports Diario de Lanzarote.

“At CEL, we advocate negotiation as the primary tool for resolving labor disputes,” he emphasizes. “It is important that the company and its employees find common ground and work on a solution that allows the rights of workers and the guarantee of an important service for the island,” he emphasizes.

Salazar pointed out that the popularity of the tourist area depends on the experience of the arrival of the visitor, which means that such a disruption of the airport can damage the image of Lanzarote as a whole.

Against this backdrop, CEL emphasizes the importance of strengthening relationships between businesses, professionals, and civil society to maintain a safe environment that promotes economic growth and job opportunities across the island. “We are confident that, with understanding and responsibility, a solution in the interest of the whole community can be reached soon,” he concluded.