Spain-based easyJet's cabin staff will go on strike nine days in July, local USO union said this morning.
The workers will walk out July 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30 and 31 to protest against low wages, Miguel Galan, the general secretary of USO's easyJet section, told reporters today.
The airline' 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 ($1,005) 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," Galan said.
Still, 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, Galan said.
Pent-up travel demand after two years of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic is stretching airlines and airport operators, causing staff shortages and long queues in terminals all over Europe.
Rising consumer prices and tough working conditions are pushing staff at many airlines in the region to protest and walk out.
Cabin staff at easyJet's larger rival Ryanair plan to go on strike this month and in July in Spain and several other countries.
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Zoltan TeglasYour right about the wages I am retired and couldn’t live on that. It’s also way below U.K. minimum wage. The reality is that people want cheap air travel.they want cheap everything. The business models of easy and Ryanair are based on that fact. So cheap labour is necessary. The main affect of Covid, labour shortage. History ,It was the same after the Black Death but different reasons. The downward pressure on prices in all sectors no longer possible. The spring uncoils after years of downward pressure and cheap money supply. Inflation. Economies will need to realign , it’s going to be a bumpy few years ahead. Look at the bond yields in euro currency block national variables. Madam Legard is going be very busy.
950€ a month is an insult! Maybe Easyjet's CEO should try living on that for a few months!