Strike called by unions aggravates Iberia's difficult situation

This morning a meeting between Iberia management and the six unions representing employee groups failed to reach any agreement of the company’s transformation plan.

The meeting took place after the union had rejected Iberia’s latest proposal, which complied with all the terms agreed in the meeting with unions on 17 December. The new offer represented a 30 % decrease in the staff reduction initially proposed by management, a smaller pay cuts and called for no layoffs at all, but only early retirements.

The unions’ rejection of the offer and announcement of an initial 15-day strike to be followed by others, actions which the union themselves described as “uncontrollable”, were disproportionate and a threat that is intolerable to the company, its customers, and society at large.

At a time of weakness for Iberia, this announcement of such a disproportionate action only aggravates an already difficult situation. The company will use all legal means at its disposal to make the adjustments needed to restore it to profitability, and to have a future.”

When and if the strike dates are confirmed, Iberia would do everything in its power to offer solutions and travel alternatives to its customers, as it has done in the past.