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Spanish air traffic controller strike likely to affect tourists

TIN news:        Thousands of passengers visiting Spain during the peak travelling season are likely to be affected by a four-day strike called by the local air traffic controllers (ATCs).
 
Members of the La Unión Sindical de Controladores Aéreos (USCA) union that represents 90% of Spain's ATCs have called for eight two-hour nationwide walkouts in the mornings and afternoons on 8, 10, 12 and 14 June.
"Industrial disputes never occur at the right time and are always going to affect a section of the population."
 
The move is a protest against Enaire's decision to fine 61 ATCs for shutting down Barcelona's airspace that led to a state of national emergency in 2010. Enaire runs most of the country's airports.
 
Enaire had suspended the staff members for one month for participating in the strike and fined one month salary. However, the suspension of 59 of the 61 staff members have been postponed to 2016 due to staff crunch, reported The Local.
 
The strike had initially been scheduled for March but had been postponed due to the Germanwings air crash.
 
The Mirror quoted USCA spokesman Susana Romero as saying: "Industrial disputes never occur at the right time and are always going to affect a section of the population.
 
"That's why we've called stoppages and not general strikes.
 
"It's the last option left open to us. We can't have workers paying when those responsible are hiding in their offices."
 
According to Daily Mail, the strike could affect nearly 450,000 passengers at the country's Palma de Mallorca Airport alone.
 
Meanwhile, airlines including Ryanair and easyJet have released statements saying they expect minimal impact of the strike on their operations.
 
A spokesperson from EasyJet said: "We would like to reassure customers we are doing everything possible to minimise any disruption as a result of the industrial action."

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