Spanish government steps in to end Iberia pilots’ dispute

The Spanish government intervened last week to help resolve the increasingly bitter dispute between Iberia (IB) and its pilots, imposing a compulsory arbitration order on both parties.

The government intervention means that strike action by members of the SEPLA Pilots union was immediately suspended.

Earlier in the week, SEPLA, which represents 1,400 IB pilots, claimed the conflict between the two parties over the creation of the Iberia Express (I2) low-cost subsidiary was “irresolvable,” and called on the government to enforce arbitration.

Since December 2011, the pilots have staged 12 days of strike action, with additional action planned for every Monday and Friday until July 20. The pilots are protesting the launch of I2, which they see as a threat to jobs and working conditions.

Last Thursday, Spain’s tourism sector weighed in on the debate, alarmed by the negative effects of the ongoing strike, and urged “forceful” government intervention.

President of the Spanish Confederation of Tourist Hotels and Accommodation (CEHAT) Juan Molas asked the government to reform labor laws relating to strike activity in the tourism sector, declaring it “an essential service” at a critical time for Spanish economic stability. He said the tourism sector could not be hostage to the threat of pilot strikes every Monday and Friday, and asked the government to intervene accordingly.

VP Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said after the Council of Ministers that the government action is permitted by Spanish law and constitutional jurisprudence and is intended to end a strike that is costing significant revenue and adversely impacting customers.

IB moved swiftly to reinstate flights cancelled on future planned strike days and said it was pleased the SEPLA pilots union had called off the strike. So far, the 12 strike days are estimated to have cost the airline some €36 million ($47.7 million).

Article Source : ATW Daily News