easyJet strikes: Travel chaos to impact school holidays – affected airports and dates
Simon Calder outlines customer rights after EasyJet cancellations
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easyJet cabin crew have already taken part in three days of strike action in Spain but more are scheduled. The strikes are likely to hit the peak summer holiday period.
easyJet strikes will impact the budget airline’s bases in Spain, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona and Malaga.
Strike action is scheduled for July 15, 16, 17, 29, 30 and 31 and will go ahead unless an agreement is reached.
The USO union which represents the easyJet cabin crew said the airline was “not moving an inch from its salary freeze in Spain”.
It accused easyJet of reaching agreements in other European countries that already have higher salaries.
The unions have claimed that staff in Spain have a basic salary of just 950 euros which they say is 850 euros less than crew in France and Germany.
USO’s spokesperson said: “The conclusion is very clear, at easyJet there is money for everything except for Spain.”
There will be another meeting between the union and easyJet on July 13, however the strike will go ahead if no agreement is reached.
The union is asking for a salary increase, more pay for senior staff, remuneration for training hours and additional pay for refresher courses.
Staff would also like new uniforms and footwear from easyJet to be supplied on an annual basis.
Ryanair staff are also going ahead with industrial action later in July over an ongoing pay dispute.
Industrial action will start on July 12 and continue until July 15 with more strikes scheduled to start on July 18.
Ryanair has 10 Spanish bases that could be impacted by the strikes including Barcelona and Malaga.
However, some planes will still run due to a mandate put in place by the Spanish Government to protect people’s right to travel.
This means that striking cabin crew will still need to operate flights but may not serve refreshments or provide extra services.
British Airways Heathrow staff were set to strike at the end of July but the action has now been suspended.
Union members will vote on a new offer from BA which could see the strike action cancelled.
Although flights might not be cancelled as a result of easyJet and Ryanair strikes, passengers are likely to see delays.
Travel insurance will not always cover flight delays or cancellations caused by industrial action.
However, airlines should offer customers an alternative flight on their intended day of travel even if that is on a rival airline.
British tourists are advised to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport and to contact their airline if there are any issues.
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