- Unprepared strikes start 24 August 2026 at eight Spanish sites
- Unions demand inflation-linked pay rises and restored benefits
- Company proposal links pay to inflation with shorter recovery period
- Mediation talks faced friction over lack of revised offer
- Potential indefinite strike from 7 September if terms not met
The labour conflict at Airbus Spain has escalated after unions walked out of mediation talks, with unions UGT, CGT, and ÚTIL preparing for upcoming strikes starting 24 August 2026. The escalation follows the workforce’s rejection of a prior pre-agreement, continuing nationwide protests over below-inflation wages, reduced remote work, and strict attendance tracking. A further meeting is scheduled and unions plan a three-hour stoppage on Monday with the possibility of indefinite strike action from the following day.
Core issues include demands for wage increases tied to inflation and the restoration of lost benefits such as sick-leave supplements, along with pushback against stricter attendance monitoring and reduced telework flexibility. The company has presented a new proposal linking pay rises to inflation and shortening the recovery period for purchasing power. Ongoing and threatened actions across eight Spanish sites, including Getafe, risk disrupting final-quarter delivery schedules for commercial and military programmes.
Official mediation talks via the SIMA Foundation have faced friction as union representatives confront management over the lack of a revised offer ahead of the 24 August stoppage. Major union CCOO has separately warned of a potential broader indefinite strike starting 7 September if satisfactory terms are not met. The labour dispute represents a challenge for Spanish aerospace manufacturing and could affect aircraft production targets.
Airbus Spain shared the company has presented a new proposal linking pay rises to inflation and shortening the recovery period for purchasing power.
