Iberia and the unions have put an end to the handling war, a conflict that has lasted almost five months and that caused a strike by the airline’s ground handling workers in the middle of the Reyes campaign, with hundreds of flights canceled and problems with the passengers’ suitcases. The agreement has been closed in discount time, to the limit to guarantee a correct transition to the new service licenses, and avoids stoppages in the airline like the one experienced in January.
The solution involves the creation of a new company, 100% owned by the IAG group and with a majority of Iberia, which will carry out the handling of the holding companies (Iberia, Vueling, Level, British Airways and Aer Lingus), as as the unions demanded, and will also provide services to third-party companies, on ramp and passage. In this way, presence is ensured at all airports, both in those where it had won the license in the last Aena contest and in the eight where it had lost it, including El Prat.
In addition, you will be able to work online, which will allow you to “achieve the necessary business volume, at market prices, to have sustainable income and possibilities for national and international growth,” Iberia explained. At first, the airline had stated that self-handling was not economically viable. Now he has found a formula that he considers sustainable.
“These have been difficult times for the entire staff, but we understand the final result of this process is the best possible,” said CC.OO. and UGT. Some 3,000 Iberia Airport Services workers were awaiting subrogation to the new Aena handling contractors, hence the protest. The staff wanted to continue under the umbrella of Iberia, whose working conditions they consider more advantageous.
The 8,000 airport employees from all work centers, through the provisions of article 44 of the Workers’ Statute, will become part of the new company and will maintain the conditions of the Iberia agreement. For their part, new workers who join the company will do so with the sector agreement. In addition, a plan has been approved for the voluntary departure of up to 1,727 employees until December 31, 2026 through incentivized dismissals and voluntary early retirements. Iberia opens the door to new hires based on the company’s profitability and growth.
