The General Union of Workers (UGT) has called for a state-wide strike at Azul Handling, a company within the Ryanair group, emphasizing what they term “continuous precariousness” and ongoing violations of labor rights. Azul Handling is responsible for ground handling services at multiple airports across Spain, serving various airlines under the Ryanair umbrella. This industrial action reflects deep-seated grievances among workers who feel increasingly marginalized and exploited under current employment practices.
The strike is set to commence on August 15 and will include work stoppages at all of Azul Handling’s operational sites in Spain. Key airports affected include Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and others, spanning from major hubs to smaller regional locations like Lanzarote and Santiago de Compostela. The initial phase involves trips in planned intervals on the first three days but, crucially, the strike is scheduled to recur every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the next two and a half years until December 31, 2025. Travelers should stay informed about potential disruptions to their flights during this prolonged period of labor unrest.
In the lead-up to the strike, UGT initiated a mediation request via the Air Sector of FeSMC-UGT, targeting the Interconfederal Service of Mediation and Arbitration (SIMA) in hopes of engaging in constructive dialogue. However, with the talks reportedly failing, the strike movement escalated. The union has cited several pivotal issues prompting this strike, including the lack of stable working hours for permanent part-time employees and the imposition of excessive overtime under duress. Furthermore, UGT has expressed concerns about disproportionate disciplinary actions against employees, which it argues foster a climate of fear and pressure.
Additional grievances center around Azul Handling’s non-compliance with the Joint Committee of the Sectoral Agreement regarding economic guarantees and pay bonuses. The union asserts that the company is enforcing unlawful restrictions that hinder workers’ rights to return after sick leave and is obstructing the establishment of family-friendly practices by denying flexible scheduling options. The overall atmosphere within the company, according to José Manuel Pérez Grande, federal secretary of the FeSMC-UGT air union, is characterized by a systematic approach towards creating precarious labor conditions.
To address these myriad issues, UGT is demanding that Azul Handling not only remove sanctions imposed on workers but also adhere to established agreements regarding labor rights and open avenues for genuine negotiations. By exposing these grievances, the union aims to advocate for improved working conditions for over 3,000 employees nationwide. There is mounting pressure on the company to engage with the union constructively, now that the strike action has been announced.
As the stakes rise for Azul Handling and its workforce, the situation will likely continue to evolve. Both the company and the union face pivotal choices—either negotiate in good faith towards resolving these longstanding issues or face the consequences of ongoing labor disruptions. The outcome of this strike could have significant implications not just for the current workforce but for labor relations and standards across the broader aviation industry in Spain.
