Spanish unions announce two days of strikes

British travellers to Spain this summer may face chaos as Spanish unions announced two days of strikes that will affect every airport across Spain at the height of the summer travel period.

More than 60,000 airport workers, including baggage handlers and grounds staff at the country's international airports, will strike on Thursday 18th and Friday 26th August 2011.

The unions said the action would interfere with all of Spain’s international airports, including Malaga, Alicante and Palma (Mallorca).

Spain’s three largest unions, CCOO, UGT and USO, have announced the strikes, saying that WFS, a private baggage handling company, repeatedly broke industrial agreements with workers and, despite a pledge not to, have made four people redundant.

Three workers were later re-instated but the unions called the strike action in support of the fourth worker, who was not rehired.

Spain still is the number one travel destination for Britons with August being one of the busiest times for air travel. Following the recent difficulties in North Africa, Greece and the Middle East, Britons have increasingly opted for Spain in the hope of a trouble-free holiday, hopes that may be dashed for people traveling on the proposed strike dates.

Union bosses are expected to meet this week in order to discuss providing 'minimum services' to travellers stranded in Spain.