Barcelona airport security workers call off strike after reaching agreement with employer

Barcelona's El Prat airport security workers called off the indefinite strike that was supposed to begin on August 10 after reaching an agreement with their employer, I-SEC.

The deal, which was accepted early on Tuesday morning after hours of negotiations, including the government-sponsored mediation, will see many but not all of the workers' demands met.

I-SEC, the Dutch company that oversees airport security, has agreed to give employees bonuses for speaking foreign languages. All workers are required to speak English, but those who have language certificates will be paid more than those who do not. 

The company has also agreed to give bonuses to those who take fewer sick leaves and has pledged to hire more women. 

Although workers had campaigned for free parking as it currently costs them around €440 per year, the company did not make any concessions in this regard. 

This particular dispute stems from accusations that I-SEC was "abusing its authority" and not allowing workers to take breaks while also engaging in "anti-union" behavior.

This is not the first labor dispute involving Barcelona airport security workers, who have long complained of poor conditions and insufficient staff.

In 2017 workers, who at the time were employed by Eulen, were on strike all summer, severely disrupting airport operations.