Violent anti-British clashes broke out at Spanish airports yesterday leading to hundreds of protesters being charged by police.
Riot police stood guard while protesters waved Spanish flags and banners saying ‘British go home’ and ‘No layoffs in Iberia, stop the British colonisation’.
Iberia workers, including baggage handlers and cabin crew, protested inside Madrid Barajas airport and at other Spanish airports over job cuts.
They blame Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group (IAG), owner of both British Airways and Iberia.
While IAG argues the cuts are vital to return the airline to profitability, unions say the IAG management is degrading pay and benefits in Spain through its low-cost airline Iberia Express.
70,000 passengers have been affected this week by the five day strike over plans to lay off 4,500 jobs and cut salaries at the airline, see previous story.
Two further strikes are planned for March 4 to 8 and March 18 to 22.
The Spanish airline merged with British Airways in 2011 to form the International Airlines Group.
