BRITS heading away for some winter sun this year could be caught up in airline strikes, set to affect the busy festive season.
The walkouts are set to affect passengers at Spanish airports across two separate periods.
GettyBaggage handlers and ground staff for Iberia have called for strike action[/caption]
Unions for ground service workers at International Airlines Group-owned Iberia have said that they plan to strike over the New Year.
It will cause more problems in Spain, where the Christmas season lasts until January 6, when locals celebrate Three Kings Day.
The country’s two main unions UGT and CCOO plan a walkout from December 29 to January 1 and from January 4-7.
However, the official paperwork has not yet been filed, a spokesperson for UGT said on Thursday.
Ground service workers, such as baggage handlers, at Spanish commercial airports, which are operated by state-controlled Aena, are protesting against contracts signed with new providers in September.
They will be joined in the strike by other colleagues, such as check-in counter staff, who are not affected by the new contracts, the spokesperson said.
Aena hired new contractors for services which were previously provided by Iberia in many airports.
This has angered unions, even though the new suppliers committed to retain workers and their working conditions.
The strike would affect other airlines.
Iberia, which has challenged the new contracts in the administrative courts, said in a statement on Wednesday evening that the strike is “irresponsible” and “makes no sense”.
The airline added: “The strikes will cause irreparable damage to the right to holidays and the reunification of friends and families on such important dates.”
Earlier this month, unions called off strikes planned for December 5 and December 10.
Iberia flies from Madrid to London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin.
Meanwhile, this is how you can claim compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
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GettyThe strikes would affect festive passengers travelling for Christmas[/caption]