Spanish air traffic controllers postpone strike

THE Spanish air traffic controllers union (USCA) have announced that they will suspend their planned industrial action temporarily in order not to inconvenience travellers during the busy month of August.

The union had taken industrial action during June and July in protest against sanctions that were imposed on 61 Barcelona controllers for closing airspace in 2010 and for the sacking of one colleague in Santiago.

USCA have criticised Enaire, the company that manages air travel through Spanish airspace, for showing zero interest in negotiations. They also argue that the Ministry of Works has undermined the fundamental right to strike through their regulation that forces the controllers to provide a minimum level of service throughout the strikes – in the June and July industrial action this meant services were running at 70-80 per cent of normal service. A decision will be made by the union in September whether or not to strike.