Workers at Airbus SE’s Spanish operations resumed strike action on Wednesday after rejecting the company’s latest pay and conditions proposal, according to union representatives. The work stoppage follows a Tuesday strike that saw participation of approximately 90% of eligible employees, according to union estimates.
The three striking unions—UGT, CGT and one other—represent roughly 40% of Airbus Spain’s approximately 14,000-strong workforce. The latest industrial action comes after a mediation session on Friday, during which Airbus presented its proposal. Plant-level assembly votes subsequently rejected the offer, prompting workers to return to strike action this week.
A new mediation meeting is scheduled for Thursday, though union representatives have criticized the company’s proposal for lacking firm financial commitments and timelines. Key issues deferred in the offer include holiday arrangements, flexible working hours and transport provisions. Workers are also seeking inflation-linked pay increases and the restoration of prior remote-working policies, which Airbus modified in July following earlier protests.
Airbus operates eight sites in Spain, producing military transport aircraft, commercial aircraft components and satellite parts. The company has implemented a hiring freeze for its Spanish operations for the duration of the strike. Union representatives from UGT and CGT stated that the industrial action has already slowed production of both military and commercial aircraft, complicating efforts to meet the company’s annual delivery target of 870 jets. Airbus previously indicated that disruptions to administrative and support functions had not yet impacted production.
The resumption of strike action follows 22 days of industrial action in July, which prompted Airbus to adjust its remote-working policy to allow employees to work from home an average of two days per week.
