Iberia faces more strikes as mediator makes the rounds

4th Mar 2013 11:21

Iberia, the Spanish airline operated under International Airlines Group (IAG), is set to face a second week of labour strikes. Pilot trade union Sepla has joined cabin crew and land personnel trade unions for a five-day round of strikes after the latter two carried out a first round of strikes on February 18th-22th.The Spanish airline has canceled almost 1,300 flights for the week, of which 431 correspond to the parent company, 100 to Iberia Express, 316 to Vueling, and 434 to Air Nostrum.293 flight cancellations were scheduled for Monday alone as workers stage several protests. It is the airline's largest work stoppages with 15 days of strikes divided over three rounds of five-day strikes.Gregorio Tudela, a mediator, has met with Iberia management and labour unions in order to compile arguments from both sides. He is expected to make an announcement on the standoff over the airline's restructuring plan.On February 12th, Iberia presented a plan to lay off 19% of its workforce, equivalent to 3,807 employees, after negotiations over a prior plan have failed.LS