The tourism sector might not be dealing with a pandemic anymore, but it sure is with the consequences, which are railing up on top of the rising oil prices and now, with strikes occurring across Europe.
Whether it be salaries or workers’ rights, employees in the air travelling industry are calling for better working conditions, and these protests have impacted travelling, passengers, and visiting European countries in general.
SchengenVisaInfo.com shows which countries will be dealing with strikes in the upcoming days and weeks, as well as warns passengers to check this guide before booking their trips or even before heading to the airport.
Belgium
Today, May 22, Belgium is expected to be flooded by unhappy workers that will take to the streets to protest assaults on workers’ right to strike and social dumping. This practice describes employers that use cheaper labour than it is available in order to reduce their costs.
This is expected to cause disruptions to the busses, trams, and metro, as Brussels’ main transport operator, STIB-MIVB, warns.
Italy
Due to floods in Emilia-Romagna, union strikes have been postponed to June 4. However, two unions, CUB and USB, went on with their protest on May 19, which caused ITA to cancel 113 domestic flights, and passengers had to rebook other flights. USB is protesting against precarious work contracts and low salaries.
On May 26, a 24-hour general strike is expected to occur, which can impact tram services, metro lines, and buses. On Friday, passengers should expect delays and cancellations, while rail services aren’t yet announced whether they will be affected.
Spain
New strikes are expected to hit Spain as the Spanish Airline Pilots Union (SEPLA) is calling for more strike days for Air Europa’s pilots. The protest begins today, May 22, and is expected to last until Friday, May 26, to continue in the upcoming week – between May 29 and May 30. The same is expected to be happening at the beginning of June, on June 1 to June 2.
Pilots of other airlines in Spain are also considering joining the strike actions this summer, while the Union has warned that if their demands aren’t met, strikes will roll out in the upcoming months.
Workers are protesting against the Spanish Ministry of Transport, which has implemented a law that requires at least 90 per cent of flights to be operated regardless of ongoing industrial actions.
According to SEPLA, this law impedes the pilots’ right to go on a trike and instead protects the interest of Air Europa. Air traffic controllers, flight attendants, and other staff members may join the walkouts.
France
Frenchmen protesting the reform of increasing the legal retirement age has called another nationwide protest on June 6, as the French parliament’s National Assembly gatherers on June 8.
Some flights all over Europe may be cancelled, while tourist destinations sometimes are closed due to protests.
According to Ryanair airline, more than 666,000 passengers were affected by 3,700 cancelled flights, which happened due to 50 days of Air Traffic Controller strikes across Europe between January and April.