Thousands of Dominicans come home for Christmas from Spain every year. This year they face extra difficulties due to Iberia employees’ planned strike between the 14th and 21st of December, key travel days for the holiday season.
Unions representing almost 90% of employees at the Spanish airline Iberia have announced a series of 24-hour strikes in the days leading to Christmas.
The unions – UGT, CCOO, USO, SICTPLA and ASETMA n say the strikes are in protest against the airline’s restructuring plans announced earlier this month by the International Airlines Group (IAG) that owns both Iberia and British Airways. Reportedly, up to 4,500 jobs could be cut, and there will be pay and capacity cuts. The employees say they suspect there is a plan to dismantle the airline.
As reported, the IAG says that while British Airways showed an operating profit of EUR286 million, Iberia has posted an operating loss of EUR262 million.
Santo Domingo is served directly to Spain by Iberia and Air Europa.