Spanish air traffic controllers strike
Encyclopedia
The Spanish air traffic controllers strike began on December 3, 2010 when most air traffic controllers
in Spanish airports walked out in a coordinated wildcat strike
. Following the walkout, the Spanish Government authorized the Spanish military to take over air traffic control operations in a total of eight airports, including the country's two main airports, Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat.
On the morning of December 4, the government declared a 'State of Alert', ordering on the controllers back to work. Shortly after the measure was implemented, controllers started returning to work and the strike was called off.
The move by controllers came after a year of dispute with the government and the Spanish airport authority Aena
over working conditions, work schedules and benefits. According to some sources , air traffic controllers can earn up to 350,000 euros per annum, a claim that has been hotly disputed . This has meant that the controllers have not received much sympathy for their strike in Spain. On the same day as the strike, the Spanish Council of Ministers
approved plans to partially privatise Aena.
The use of emergency powers was the first time since the restoration of democracy in 1975
that a state of alert had been called. Under the measure, controllers were escorted by armed guards and faced arrest for the crime of disobedience, stipulated in the Spanish military penal code in case of not showing up at work. Some controllers reported to have been forced to work at gunpoint.
The use of this measure by the Spanish government has been severely criticized by ATCEUC (Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination) through a press release .
Air traffic controller
Air traffic controllers are the people who expedite and maintain a safe and orderly flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system. The position of the air traffic controller is one that requires highly specialized skills...
in Spanish airports walked out in a coordinated wildcat strike
Wildcat strike action
A wildcat strike action, often referred to as a wildcat strike, is a strike action taken by workers without the authorization of their trade union officials. This is sometimes termed unofficial industrial action...
. Following the walkout, the Spanish Government authorized the Spanish military to take over air traffic control operations in a total of eight airports, including the country's two main airports, Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat.
On the morning of December 4, the government declared a 'State of Alert', ordering on the controllers back to work. Shortly after the measure was implemented, controllers started returning to work and the strike was called off.
The move by controllers came after a year of dispute with the government and the Spanish airport authority Aena
Aena
Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea , literally "Spanish Airports and Air Navigation", is the Spanish public body that owns and operates the majority of airports in Spain, with the exceptions of the private owned Ciudad Reals and Lleida-Alguaire Airport. Aena is also responsible for Air...
over working conditions, work schedules and benefits. According to some sources , air traffic controllers can earn up to 350,000 euros per annum, a claim that has been hotly disputed . This has meant that the controllers have not received much sympathy for their strike in Spain. On the same day as the strike, the Spanish Council of Ministers
Council of Ministers of Spain
The Cabinet of Spain is a collegiate body composed of the President of the Government , Vice Presidents when existing and the Ministers, and any other member required by law, and in some cases Secretaries of State...
approved plans to partially privatise Aena.
The use of emergency powers was the first time since the restoration of democracy in 1975
Spanish transition to democracy
The Spanish transition to democracy was the era when Spain moved from the dictatorship of Francisco Franco to a liberal democratic state. The transition is usually said to have begun with Franco’s death on 20 November 1975, while its completion has been variously said to be marked by the Spanish...
that a state of alert had been called. Under the measure, controllers were escorted by armed guards and faced arrest for the crime of disobedience, stipulated in the Spanish military penal code in case of not showing up at work. Some controllers reported to have been forced to work at gunpoint.
The use of this measure by the Spanish government has been severely criticized by ATCEUC (Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination) through a press release .