Easter Air Traffic Controllers Strike Threat Fears Diminished
In common with the French and the Greeks, it seems that the Spanish air traffic controllers are not happy bunnies either. It looks, however, as though their former threats to bring chaos to travellers into and out of Spain over the Easter period may come to nothing, and so those set to enjoy the celebrations of the Semana Santa, or Easter Week, can hopefully look forward to a hassle-free trip.
The current pay deal for Spain’s air traffic controllers is set to end just four days before Easter Sunday, on March 31st, and it is the prospect of pay reductions which could amount to 40% which have outraged many of the workers. With pressure from the Costa del Sol Tourist Board whose fears that a strike over the Easter period would devastate the industry and put the economy of provinces such as Malaga at risk, however, it is hoped that the planned industrial action will not now go ahead but that workers will use other ‘legal’ means of fighting their cause. Certainly the union for air traffic controllers (USCA) has indicated that services will continue as normal throughout the Easter holidays.
Revelations that some of Spain’s air traffic controllers are earning up to £800,000 per year (more than 50 times the average national wage) have incensed the country’s Minister for Development who has stated vehemently that he will not allow the situation to continue. It is perhaps not only the government and those directly involved in the tourist industry who feel that they are justified in their complaints, however. When you bear in mind that such high levels of earnings reflect on the airport taxes paid by air passengers who visit the country, taking control of the situation will surely benefit everyone concerned.
Images courtesy of dahowlett and montuno on Flickr.
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