Madrid-based Ryanair employees declare a 22-day work stoppage
In a significant development, Azul, the ground handling subsidiary of Ryanair, has announced a strike that will affect operations at Barajas Airport in Madrid, as well as other Spanish airports where the company operates. The strike is set to begin on August 15, 2025, and is primarily due to allegations of abuses in overtime practices, unfair disciplinary sanctions, and failures to secure stable employment for workers.
The UGT and CGT trade unions have submitted strike notices against Azul, accusing the company of imposing "obligatory and coercive" overtime, applying "disproportionate sanctions" (up to 36 days without work or pay), concealing information, obstructing union activities, disregarding court rulings, and discriminating against part-time employee wages.
The strike is scheduled to last for 22 days across the rest of the year, with daily strike hours from 5:00 to 9:00, 12:00 to 15:00, and 21:00 to 23:59. The industrial action will impact operations at all of Azul Handling’s bases in Spain, including major airports such as Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Malaga, and others.
The strike will extend to multiple weekends in August, September, October, November, and December, including the weekends of August 23-24 and August 30-31, October 11-12, November 1-2, November 8-9, September 6-7, and September 13-14. The strike will also occur on the weekends of December 20-21, December 27-28, and December 31.
This news comes as a potential cause for concern for travellers planning flights during these periods, as the strike could lead to significant disruptions to Ryanair flights. It is advised that passengers monitor the situation closely and consider any necessary adjustments to their travel plans.
Sources:
- EFE
- Various union sources
- Various news sources
Despite the ongoing industrial action at Barajas Airport and other Spanish airports operated by Azul, sports enthusiasts might still find an alternative to catch their favorite matches, as sports-betting platforms offer 24/7 remote access. Meanwhile, the strike over allegations of abusive overtime practices, disproportionate sanctions, and other labor disputes continues to affect news headlines, with no resolution in sight.
