Union issues "first warning" to prime minister
Employees at Spain's 47 state-owned airports are set to strike tomorrow (March 24), protesting against plans to privatise operator AENA.
Air traffic controllers, firemen, maintenance workers, administrative staff and other workers will stage a walkout between 0800 GMT to 0900 GMT, trade union Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) said.
An AENA spokesperson told Reuters minimum services would be maintained. It is unknown exactly how many unionised staff will strike.
The protests are the result of government plans to privatise 30% of AENA, the world's largest airport operator.
The plan, announced last August, will privatise airport management, while air traffic services will remain state-controlled.
The CCOO told Reuters this was the "first warning" to the Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
AENA operates, among others, the country's three largest and busiest airports - Madrid Barajas International, Barcelona International and Palma de Mallorca.
www.aena.es