Travelers across Europe during this Easter weekend are advised to verify potential delays or cancellations as strikes are anticipated in multiple popular vacation destinations.
The upcoming Easter weekend is anticipated to see significant activity with 11,282 flights set to take off from United Kingdom airports exclusively, as reported by data analysis company Cirium.
Travellers are advised to check their flight and booking status regularly as negotiations are still ongoing in many cases, and strikes could be called off last minute.
UK: Gatwick airport workers to strike
The Unite union announced earlier this month that there would be strike action at Gatwick Airport - the UK's second busiest airport - starting on Good Friday 18 April and ending in the early hours of the morning on 22 April .
This encompasses baggage handlers, check-in personnel, and flight dispatchers from airlines such as Norwegian, Delta, TAP, and Air Peace. According to the union, they anticipate this industrial action will affect approximately 50 daily flights, leading to lengthy lines and hold-ups at check-in areas.
The strikes will proceed following hundreds of employees "overwhelmingly turning down" a proposed agreement from Red Handling, the firm central to this conflict. According to Unite, the actions are being initiated due to various concerns such as unpaid pension contributions, delayed salary disbursements, and what they deem "unlawful" work schedules.
The firm has mentioned that it has backup strategies ready to ensure "secure and prompt" travel during the Easter weekend.
Spain:Hotel Staff to Go On Strike in Tenerife
A scheduled strike regarding wages by hotel employees will proceed in the Canary Islands on 17 and 18 April .
The protest was scheduled throughout the Canary Islands; however, an understanding was made to halt the strike on the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura.
The strike continues to be observed on other islands, involving approximately 80,000 hotel employees across Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro.
Employees in Tenerife mention that their bosses haven't been as receptive to their requests. The strike will proceed following the rejection of the most recent offer made by employer organizations.
The Canary Islands Ministry of Tourism and Employment has established minimum service standards for the tourism sector during the Easter weekend. This ensures that essential services like front desk operations, concierge duties, housekeeping, dining facilities, and meal preparation will continue even if strikes occur.
The CCOO union, which initiated the strike, argues that these minimal service provisions violate their fundamental right to strike.
"Imposing minimal services amounts to an unjustified, excessive, and legally unsupported limitation on the basic right to strike," said CCOO in a press statement.
France: Train Strike Potential With Just 48 Hours Notice
Members of the Sud Rail union have served a six-week strike notice. 17 April and 2 June Although specific dates haven’t been announced, a walkout might happen with just 48 hours of warning at most.
This will impact solely the train controllers employed by the national operator SNCF, yet it might lead to some delays or cancellations of services during the protest.