Minor disruption at Barcelona airport as EasyJet cabin crew strike

Saturday has seen minor disruption at Barcelona airport as opposed to earlier days. During the weekend, only EasyJet staff are on strike to call for improved working conditions, while on Friday, workers from Ryanair were also demonstrating.

As of 7 pm, 4 flights had been canceled at the Barcelona El Prat airport.

Meanwhile, another 15 flights - 8 departures and 7 arrivals - were delayed.

The Easyjet strike is set to last until July 31 but only during weekends. Therefore, travelers flying with the British airline could face complications on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17, and from Friday 29 to Sunday 31. 

Dispute

In a statement, USO union condemned the "blocked impasse" that the staff faces. The union wants workers to have salaries similar to other company staff based in other European countries such as Germany or France.

"The company does not have any interest in improving working conditions of the Spanish cabin crew," the union claimed in June when announcing the protests. There are over 450 cabin crew members called to strike, including those at the Barcelona El Prat airport. 

The airline has reported that there will be flight "interruptions" at the Catalan airport as well as Palma de Mallorca and Malaga. However, they announced that they will do "everything possible" to minimize these interruptions.   

"Spain’s cabin crew team has the lowest basic income of all European Easyjet hubs," USO said. Income is around €850 lower than other countries on the continent. "If you fly a lot of hours, you end up paying your invoices but reducing your break time and doing a higher number of flight hours."