Barcelona airport workers call new strike dates this month

Iberia ground staff at Barcelona airport have announced four new dates this month in which they are going on strike "in the face of the passivity of the Iberia directors and the lack of proposals," according to a statement from UGT, one of the biggest trade unions in the country.

The dates announced for the staff strikes are August 24, 25, 30, and 31. This comes after the workers already downed tools on July 28 and 29, forcing dozens of flight cancellations. 

The union explained that the strike committee has tried to open negotiations with the company's management in order to avoid further mobilization. In fact, after the two days of strike last month, the representatives of the workers said they wanted to negotiate with company directors before August 2, without receiving an answer.

The announcement of the new dates of action comes on the fifth day of the indefinite strike being held by the security staff at the airport.

Why are the staff protesting?

The Iberia ground staff are on strike to protest staffing levels which they say are not keeping pace with the growth of activity at the airport, a lack of permanent contracts, and the "indiscriminate" use of mandatory overtime by Iberia. 

With Barcelona airport growing at a rate of 5%, and last year exceeding the 50-million passenger mark, the workers complain there is not enough staff to cover the increased activity, as the Iberia ground staff provide a service for 27 companies.