Spain-based cabin crew at easyJet are planning to go on strike for nine days during July to demand higher pay from the budget airline, the country’s local union USO said on Tuesday, adding further travel woes as the sector struggles to cope with rebounding demand.
Just recently, Ryanair cabin crew workers in Spain also announced that they are to go on strike over six days at the end of June and start of July in a bid to improve pay and working conditions at the low-cost carrier,
Workers at easyJet are planning to walk out in three phases, on 1-3 July, 15-17 July, and 29-31 July, Miguel Galan, general secretary of USO’s easyJet section, told reporters on Tuesday.
The airline’s flight attendants in Spain are demanding a 40% increase in their basic salaries, he said.
The basic salary, which excludes bonuses and extra pay, stands at 950 euros for easyJet’s Spanish staff, which is much lower than in countries such as France and Germany, Galan said.
‘The company underestimated the outlook, was more pessimistic and conservative and is not ready for the demand … this generates a domino effect on us,’ he said.
The union, which says it represents 80% of the 450 staff based in Spain, still hopes an agreement can be reached to avoid the strike during a meeting with management on Tuesday.
The news comes shortly after the low-cost carrier announced plans to cut more UK flights over the busy summer period.
The airline has blamed staff shortages in ground handling and at airports, as well as air traffic control delays for increased turnaround times, delayed flights and cancellations.
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