Spain's general strike to disrupt international flights

Trade unions have made their proposals to the Ministry of public works today, demanding that transport services to be kept to an absolute minmum on September 29th - the day of the general strike.

The proposals reportedly cover international flight and train connections, but allow for keeping just one return flight open for each of the Spanish islands and the mainland and only accepting the arrival of intercontinental flights that depart before 00.00 hours local time.

The CCOO and UGT trade unions are also proposing only a 25% service on urban rail networks and metro lines and have rejected the minimum services that were imposed on them during their strike on the Madrid metro back in July, branding them "abusive".

The 25% service on urban and metro trains will only apply during rush hour, when it is propsed that one train will operate every half an hour between 6am and 9am and again between 5pm and 8pm in the evening.

The unions made a statement earlier to emphasis how all Spain's ptransport systems will be effected - but is based on the ministerial order given in 2002 by the then Minister of Public Works, Francisco Álvarez-Cascos.

A further meeting will be held on Tuesday between the Minister, José Blanco, and the secretaries of the respective trade unions involved.