Key facts
- Airbus workers in Spain are on strike until the end of July.
- Unions cite sub-inflation pay rises and tighter attendance monitoring as reasons for the strike.
- The strike began at the Getafe plant and has spread to other Airbus sites in Spain.
- CCOO, a major union, has not joined the strike but may call for an indefinite strike in September.
- Airbus faces pressure to meet its annual delivery target amid supply-chain constraints.
Employees at aircraft manufacturer Airbus have initiated a strike across most of Spain, which is set to continue until the end of July. The action, called by the Independent Union of Aviation Professionals (SIPA), stems from what unions describe as deteriorating working conditions. Key grievances include pay rises that do not keep pace with inflation and more stringent attendance monitoring, along with requirements for office staff to increase their on-site presence.
The strike initially gained traction at Airbus's Getafe plant near Madrid before expanding to other facilities and securing support from additional unions. This industrial action occurs as Airbus is under pressure to meet its annual delivery target of 870 jets, while simultaneously navigating supply-chain constraints. The company also recently faced stoppages in France related to reduced remote work days for white-collar staff.
While CCOO, the largest union representing Airbus employees in Spain, has not joined the current strike, it has warned of an indefinite strike starting September 7 if its demands are not met. CCOO cautioned that delivery schedules could be significantly impacted by the ongoing and potential future industrial actions at all Airbus sites in Spain. Airbus employs over 14,000 people across eight sites in Spain, producing military transport planes, commercial aircraft parts, and satellites.