It’s a tough time to be working in the aviation industry. Faced with staff shortages and huge levels of disruption, many workers at airlines and airports are facing long, stressful hours and poor working conditions. And, thanks to the cost of living crisis and the resounding impact of pandemic-era pay cuts, loads of them are doing it all for lower wages, too.
Needless to say, it’s no wonder that so many staff at airports and airlines have been going on strike. From Italy and Belgium to Greece and France, airports across Europe have seen thousands of flights delayed and cancelled by industrial action.
Strikes can, of course, have a serious impact on your holiday, so it’s best to be as informed about them as possible. Read on for our guide to who’s going on strike in Europe right now, where and when those strikes will happen – and whether you need to worry about them.
EasyJet cabin crew strikes in Spain
EasyJet has announced that cabin crew members across Spain will go on strike next week in a bid to try and ‘level the crews’ working and wage conditions in Spain with ones at other bases of the company in Europe’.
More than 650 team members, based in Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca could be involved in the industrial action, scheduled to take place from Wednesday June 25 to Friday June 27.
According to Sky News, regulations in Spain mean that airline workers are compelled to provide a minimum level of service even on strike days, and easyJet has said it aims to, where possible, minimise their impact. However, if you’re travelling through Spain on those days next week, it would be wise to expect delays.
Strikes affecting Belgium’s airports
Belgian national strikes, which have been happening on a monthly basis since January, have so far affected the journeys of around 180,000 passengers.
The industrial action is in protest of the Belgian government and its budget cuts, and according to Travel Radar the next strike date is set to be June 25. On that day, 75,000 passengers are expected to pass through Brussels Airport. If that’s you, check directly with your travel provider for all the latest information on potential delays.
What happens if your airline goes on strike?
If strikes cause your flight to be delayed or cancelled, the airline is usually obliged to help you and/or provide compensation. However, this often depends on the conditions of your airline – some airlines won’t cover strikes out of their control, such as airport or baggage handler strikes. Your compensation also depends on the extent of your travel insurance. These should both be easily accessed on either your airline or insurer’s website.
If you book your flight already knowing that a strike is set to take place (ie. it’s already been announced by the union), you are exceptionally unlikely to receive compensation. Before you book, be sure to check for any strike dates not just at your intended airline but also at departure and arrival airports.
Of course, it’s worth bearing in mind that the threat of a strike is exactly that: a threat. Strikes are primarily used as bargaining chips in negotiations between unions and employers, so there’s always the chance that both sides will come to an agreement before one actually takes place.
In any case, if your journey involves any of the above airlines, destinations and dates, be sure to keep an eye on your flight status and prepare for a more disrupted journey than expected.
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