Exceltur, the alliance for touristic excellence, is warning that strikes by airport staff would be "horrific". Jose Luis Zoreda, vice-president of this organisation for leading companies in the travel and tourism industry, adds that strikes would be "bad news" for Spain's tourism. As an example, he draws attention to the chaos at Barcelona airport, where security check personnel have been on strike and the Guardia Civil have had to be called in.
If they go ahead, the strikes would start on 15 September and affect all airports in the Aena network. Zoreda says that there will be delays, cancellations, security deficiencies and a lack of management for flights. They would have "international repercussions" and "enormous consequences" for Spain. He stresses that Aena's management should not only be judged by its financial results but also by its ability to offer the best possible public service.
Aena and Enaire, which holds the government's shares in Aena and is responsible for air navigation, both agree with the unions' basic demands for better pay. The three unions - UGT, CCOO and USO - have made these demands because of years of wage freezes or slight increases at a time when Aena and Enaire have been turning in ever-improved results.
Although their managements accept the need to increase pay, they are bound by constraints on public-sector wage agreements. The ministry of finance would have to give its approval for any settlement that goes beyond rules for budgetary stability.
The unions announced last week that there will be 24-hour stoppages on 25 days from 15 September until the end of December. Airport staff which would be affected include, among others, security check personnel.
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We are also coming back as from 22/9. As long as the pane leaves and land it's fine. I've stopped checking in with lugguage for some years now and send them 3 days upfront by DH, no worries at all and excellent service. Here in Belgium we are also hostages of sudden strikes on airports certainly Brussels
Well it certainly seems as if they are trying their hardest to drive the tourists away! At the moment I have 2 vacations booked to Majorca for next year, but i'm watching the unfolding situation closely. I would hate to change my Holidays but I'm beginning to get that unwanted feeling, I hope i'm wrong.
Workers employed directly, and in the wider support areas of the tourist industry, should not take Majorca's privileged position for granted. With the spending power of the pound is at it's lowest for eight years against the euro, Florida is looking very attractive. Please reconsider and think about your future prosperity before rushing to take industrial action.
While sympathizing with the workers lack of pay increases, they should remember that many have had to suffer during these years of "crisis"(a crisis that Spain is by no means out of). Action such as they are considering will only add further to the negative factors that have this year affected the tourist industry. Soon they may find that not only do they not have pay increases but they do not have jobs.
I still have time to cancel my holiday in October. It would be a free cancellation , and a complete refund. In view of the chaos of passport checking, and further strike chaos, and the terrorist threats being possible. I am about to change my holiday. With the billions of Euros flooding into Mallorca, and the Tourist Tax. It is incredulous that strikes about pay are going to completely ruin this Season. I am surprised the Hotel staff have not been on strike this season too.
Everyone seems to be conspiring to seriously damage Mallorca's economy. If the politicians do not start displaying strong leadership and joined up thinking I think next years tourist season has already been seriously dented and it is becoming too late to retrieve the situation.