Further Unions join Iberia strike action

The STAVLA, CTA and CNT unions representing Iberia's Cabin crew and Ground crew employees have voted in faviour of joining SEPLA Pilot's union members in their continued strike action this month.

The unions agree with SEPLA that the creation of the Iberia Express low-cost carrier, in order to improve their market share on short and medium haul routes, will result in the loss of up to 5'000 jobs.

Iberia executives took the decision to transfer 30 aircraft from the parent airline to Iberia Express, which is set to commence flights on March 25th, in order to compete with other European budget carriers such as Ryanair and Easyjet.

Unions complain that they have made proposals that could potentially save the airline €300 Mln compared to the €100 Mln savings projected by the creation of the new airline, but that Executives are unwilling to negotiate on the matter.

The creation of Iberia Express comes despite the fact that the owners of Iberia, IAG, also have interests in British Airways, BMI, Air Nostrum, and Vueling - with latter being linked to buying a stake in Hungarian carrier, Malev, last week.

Further strike action has been confirmed for the 3rd, 17th, 20th, 24th and 29th of February.