Over 650 easyJet cabin crew to strike over unfair pay in Spain
- Over 650 easyJet cabin crew in Spain will strike for three days starting June 25, 2025.
- The strike aims to address significant pay disparities between Spanish and European easyJet cabin crew.
- If unresolved, this action could disrupt travel for many passengers during a busy summer travel period.
The impending strike involving over 650 easyJet cabin crew in Spain is scheduled to span three days from Wednesday, June 25 to Friday, June 27, 2025. The locations affected include popular tourist destinations such as Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga, and Palma, with industrial action aimed at addressing serious pay inequities compared to their counterparts across Europe. Currently, no flights have been canceled due to the strike, as Spanish law mandates a minimum level of service during such actions, which may help mitigate immediate disruptions. Union representative Pier Luigi Copello from the Unión Sindical Obrera Union (USO) asserted that there is a significant wage gap between easyJet cabin crew based in Spain and those in other European countries, ranging from 30 percent to 200 percent. Coupled with this disparity is the alarming rise in Spain's cost of living, making current wages untenable for many workers. Employees seek not just fair pay but also better working conditions that align with standards upheld by easyJet in other nations. A mediation session between the union and easyJet was scheduled just prior to the strike, indicating ongoing negotiations aimed at potentially averting industrial action. A spokesman for easyJet expressed confidence in operating the full flight schedule as usual, emphasizing the company's commitment to minimizing any impact from the strike. Notably, this situation reflects larger trends within the airline industry, where labor disputes over pay and working conditions have escalated as companies face increasing operational pressures. Kenton Jarvis, easyJet’s chief executive, has commented on the broader landscape for airlines, revealing plans to enhance operational resilience amid expectations of summer challenges arising from air traffic control mandates, labor actions, and adverse weather conditions. As summer approaches, the importance of resolving labor disputes becomes crucial, not just for the airlines but also for the passengers relying on these services, highlighting the intersection of employee rights and customer experience in the aviation sector.