Iberia unions call six days of strikes for December

International Airline Group (IAG) Spanish subsidiary Iberia's main unions (UGT, CCOO, USO, Asetma, Sictpla and CTA-Vuelo) have today called for six days of non-consecutive strikes between December the 14th and 21st (14th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st).

According to the spokesperson for UGT's -one of Spain's two largest labour unions - airports section, Francisco Rodriguez, the strike will cover all of Iberia's installations and operations.

He justified the above action on the grounds that IAG's sustainability plan will see the needless lay-off of workers and so as to pressure management to design a real growth plan for the company.

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In particular, UGT wants IAG to negotiate on the lay-offs and to stop the company from first segregating and then selling off the airline's maintenance and handling operations.

Iberia's Chairman, Rafael Snchez-Lozano, replied that the strike is absolutely inopportune, irresponsible and unjustified, as the company is willing to discuss alternatives so long as other options can be found. "Neither Spain nor Iberia can allow themselves the luxury of such a strike," he added.

As of 11:53 shares of IAG are falling by 0.1% to 170p.

AB