Workers at Airbus SE’s Spanish operations resumed an indefinite strike on Tuesday after rejecting the company’s latest pay offer, escalating a labor dispute that has disrupted production and threatened delivery targets.
Nearly 90% of eligible employees participated in the work stoppage, according to union representatives. The strike, led by unions UGT and CGT, follows 22 days of industrial action in July and a mediation session held last Friday, where Airbus presented its proposal. A further mediation meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
The dispute centers on worker demands for inflation-linked pay increases, the restoration of remote-working arrangements—currently limited to an average of two days per week—and improved sick-leave benefits. Unions criticized Airbus’s offer for lacking firm timelines and financial commitments, particularly on issues such as holidays, flexible hours, and transport arrangements. Airbus has already modified plans to reduce remote working following protests in July.
The three striking unions represent about 40% of Airbus Spain’s workforce of roughly 14,000 employees. The company operates eight sites in Spain and has an annual delivery target of 870 jets. Union representatives warned that the strike has already slowed military and commercial production, complicating efforts to meet delivery goals. Airbus, however, stated last week that disruption to administrative and support functions had not yet affected production.
In response to the strike, Airbus has frozen planned hiring in Spain for its duration.
