The Vueling cabin crew have ended the series of strikes that began on November 1, confirm sources from the group. The strikes were scheduled until January 31, although the calling union, Stavla, stated from the beginning that they would prolong the protest indefinitely if there was no progress in terms of salary improvements.
After three months of strike every Friday, Sunday and Monday – in addition to long weekends and Christmas holidays – there has been a rapprochement between this union, the majority in the crew group, and the company owned by IAG. Stavla has returned to the table where the new collective agreement for cabin crew in Spain is being negotiated and where the CC.OO.
"Our will has always been constructive dialogue at the negotiating table to close a sustainable collective agreement and we have resumed the talks," they explain from Vueling.
Stavla demanded a salary increase of 13.4% for 2022, an increase that the president of the airline, Marco Sansavini, described as "unfeasible". The union's demands entailed a total salary increase of 33% by 2025, they highlighted from Vueling then, and they were not willing to assume it.
Shortly before, in August, the company based at El Prat airport had reached an agreement with CC.OO. to raise the salary of cabin crew. The increase was 6.5%, corresponding to the 2021 CPI, but Stavla stood out and did not sign. From there, they launched their own demands and got up from the negotiating table, starting the strikes.
During these three months, Vueling has had to preventatively suspend dozens of flights on strike days – not covered by the minimum services – and relocate the affected passengers. This anticipation mechanism has meant that the impact on passengers has been limited, although it has meant an effort to reorganize operations.
The tables have turned and all this conflict has now been parked. Meetings between the company and worker representatives have already begun with the aim of sealing an agreement shortly. The intention is to give the green light to the fourth collective agreement during the month of March. The second low cost of El Prat, Ryanair, has also deactivated its strike recently.
