Spanish Airbus Workers Head to Polls as 35-Day Strike Nears Its End
Published on 09/04/2026 at 21:23 | Editorial boerse-global.de
A tentative breakthrough has emerged in the long-running labour dispute at Airbus's Spanish operations, with four unions now backing a deal that could finally bring production back to full capacity. The agreement, hammered out after weeks of tense negotiations, still needs approval from workers themselves, who will vote on the proposal in a binding referendum.
The unions UGT, ATP, CCOO and SIPA — together representing more than 80 percent of Airbus employees across Spain — have signed off on the package. Their support removes a major obstacle to ending the walkout, though the final word rests with the workforce.
What's on the table
The proposed settlement centres on wage increases tied to inflation and measures designed to restore purchasing power. Airbus had previously offered a pay adjustment linked to the Spanish consumer price index (IPC) plus a purchasing-power compensation of 7.6 percent, while leaving existing teleworking arrangements untouched.
The new agreement goes further, adding commitments on improved workplace conditions alongside the financial components. For the unions involved, the deal represents a meaningful step toward addressing the economic pressures facing their members after months of rising living costs.
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Government intervention broke the deadlock
Getting to this point required political intervention. Two earlier rounds of talks had collapsed without progress, prompting Spain's Industry Ministry to step in directly. Industry Minister Jordi Hereu summoned company representatives and union leaders to a crisis meeting aimed at unblocking the stalemate.
The most recent mediation attempt, held on 3 September under the SIMA conciliation service, had ended in failure. Notably, only CCOO, ATP and SIPA attended that session — SIPA was absent — and reports at the time pointed to a complete breakdown in communication between the opposing sides. CCOO had been pressing particularly hard for employment guarantees.
Ripple effects across Andalusia's supply chain
The industrial action, which began in July and stretched across five weeks totalling 35 strike days, was triggered primarily by proposed cuts to remote-working arrangements. Its impact radiated well beyond Airbus's own factories.
Andalusia's aerospace cluster felt the pinch acutely. Industry estimates suggest roughly 150 supplier companies in the region, employing around 16,400 people, were affected by the disruptions. Interrupted supply chains and the prolonged negotiation standoff created mounting tension throughout the sector.
Dissenting voices remain
Even with the majority unions on board, the picture is not entirely settled. The CGT, which is not party to the current agreement, has been considering legal action over allegations of unfair tactics during earlier negotiation phases. Along with other worker representatives, the CGT has also called for a large-scale demonstration on 10 September to keep up the pressure.
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Whether the workforce ratifies the deal will determine how quickly normal operations resume at Airbus's Spanish sites. A yes vote would mark the decisive step toward stabilising production after one of the most disruptive labour disputes the country's aerospace industry has seen in recent years.
