HOLIDAYMAKERS going to Spain for Easter face travel chaos after airport workers called a 24-hour strike.
The action, set for April 21 – the day before Good Friday – has been timed to cause maximum disruption.
Baggage handlers and firefighters are among those who will not turn up for work, meaning most airports will be brought to a standstill.
Workers at all of Spain’s international airports are in a dispute over the partial privatisation of AENA, the national airport operator.
Francisco Abadias, spokesman for the UGT union, said: “We know our action will affect many passengers, but we can’t stand by while they keep cutting workers’ rights.”
Mr Abadias also threatened further strikes in July. Manuel Caro, spokesman for AENA’s works council, which represents its 12,000 employees, said passengers with tickets for the week before Easter should change them.
Spain’s ruling PSOE party plans to raise nearly £8billion by selling 49 per cent of AENA, which manages 47 airports, and privatise the management of Madrid and Barcelona airports.
Airport workers fear their jobs and working conditions will be jeopardised by the changes. Some 200 staff at Barcelona’s El Prat airport yesterday demonstrated against the plans.
Mr Caro said privatisation would be “a grave mistake” and added: “Heathrow is an example of this. It’s a disaster and it’s run by Ferrovial, one of the companies planning on taking over Madrid.”