Transport sets minimum service limits of up to 87% for the Ryanair handling strike over the August bank holiday.

The Ministry of Transport has set minimum service levels of up to 87% for the strikes by Ryanair's handling subsidiary (ground workers). The strikes, which the UGT and CGT unions have called for the August long weekend, are threatening to continue until the end of the year.

The resolution signed by the Secretary of State for Transport, José Antonio Santano , requires minimum services of between 76% and 87% to Azul Handling on flights to or from mainland Spain, depending on the airport, and between 57% and 63% in the case of international flights (in addition to services on routes connecting mainland Spanish cities when the alternative means of public transport available involves a travel time equal to or greater than 5 hours), for the mobilizations called for the month of August, on the 15th, 16th and 17th.

For routes connecting mainland Spanish cities where the available alternative means of public transport requires a travel time of five hours or less, minimum services will be between 32 and 40% of operations.

The more than 3,000 employees of Azul Handling are being called to strike on August 15, 16, and 17 during the following time slots: 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; and 9:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. According to the UGT (General Workers' Union), the reasons for the strike include the lack of stable job creation and a consolidated working day for permanent part-time employees; the imposition and coercion of overtime work, both regular and voluntary, with disproportionate penalties in some cases; the repeated failure to comply with the rulings of the Joint Committee of the Sectoral Agreement on guarantees and bonuses; and illegal restrictions on return to work after medical discharge and on adjusting working hours to exercise the right to family conciliation.

However, Ryanair says it does not expect any impact on its operations from the protests. Speaking to this newspaper, the company's CEO, Eddie Wilson , explained yesterday that these are stoppages organized by two unions with little influence in the handling branch and noted that the company already has a company-wide collective bargaining agreement with CC.OO., the majority union. "This strike is completely unnecessary. People should know that the main demand of these unions is that if the plane is delayed due to air traffic control, for example, they can go home, leaving the passengers and luggage unattended," said the executive, who asserted that when such incidents occur, "overtime is paid."

However, Wilson yesterday expressed his hope that the strike would not go ahead.

The protests called on the bridge by the minority handling unions could be just the first sign, as the unions will continue their strikes every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 31, 2025, if they don't reach an agreement with the Irish airline. Transport also announced this Wednesday the minimum service rates for September and October, which also range from similar percentages to those for August .

The Transport Department's resolution will be in effect until October 31, 2025. "If the strike has not been called off before that date, a new minimum services resolution must be requested with sufficient notice," the department led by Óscar Puente stated on the same page.