MADRID (Reuters) -Unions for ground service workers at International Airlines Group-owned Iberia said on Thursday they plan to strike over the New Year period at Spanish airports.
The country's two main unions UGT and CCOO plan a walkout from Dec. 29 to Jan. 1 and over Jan. 4-7, though the official paperwork has not yet been filed, a spokesperson for UGT said on Thursday.
Ground service workers, such as baggage handlers, at Spanish commercial airports, which are operated by state-controlled Aena, are protesting against contracts signed with new providers in September.
They will be joined in the strike by other colleagues, such as counter staff, who are not affected by the new contracts, the spokesperson said.
Aena hired new contractors for services which were previously provided by Iberia in many airports, angering unions even though the new suppliers committed to retain workers and their working conditions.
The strike would affect other airlines.
Iberia, which has challenged the new contracts in the administrative courts, said in a statement on Wednesday evening that the strike is "irresponsible" and "makes no sense".
Earlier this month, unions called off strikes planned for Dec. 5 and Dec. 10.