Iberia prepares for more strike action

It seems Iberia isn’t having a good time of it recently, with major changes and restructuring to help the airline survivie.

This has annoyed the unions – who represent 90% of the employees who have confirmed strike action is to take place.

The unions involved – UGT, CCOO, USO, SICTPLA and ASETMA – have confirmed the strikes would take place between on 14th December and 17th-21st December 2012. No other action is planned at this time beyond the December dates.

In a joint statement, the unions want no part of a plan that they accuse IAG of “complicit in a plan that would destroy Iberia.”

These unions have asked IAG/Iberia management to

“reconsider their position and offer a growth plan which may include measures of sacrifice.”

SEPLA – the union representing the Iberia pilots – is currently in arbitration with the airline over strikes held earlier this year – and thus cannot join the strike action.

The job cuts – 4500 – represent a quarter of the Iberia workforce. As well as the cuts to jobs, there would be pay cuts too.

IAG/Iberia engagement are dangling a deadline of 31st January 2013 for negotiations to be settled – with a threat of greater job losses and route cuts if no compromise has been met.

Iberia has put out a statement on its website where it attempts to put its case for change forward, however no exact plans have been revealed yet for operations during the strike – but with the unions claiming nearly 90% of represented employees – expect chaos.