ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

An indefinite strike by airport cleaners in the Balearic Islands could mean that holidaymakers will be met by piles of rubbish when they fly in.

The main two unions representing some 6,000 workers in the sector are threatening a mass walkout over pay. And demonstrations are being held by cleaners at airports on the three main Balearic Islands of Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca.

Airport cleaners are tasked with clearing up the terminal buildings, emptying bins and removing food packaging and other waste from the public areas as well as keeping the washrooms clean. Balearic Island airport cleaners last went on strike in the summer of 2017 when the conditions at the facilities were described as "filthy" and "apocalyptic" by British holidaymakers.

There were numerous reports of overflowing litter bins plus items such as dirty nappies and discarded food left lying on the floor.

Around 60 per cent of cleaners at the Balearic Islands' airports are represented by the SITEB union while a second body, CCOO, represents around 35 per cent of the workers.

The cleaners' strike will result in more grief for holidaymakers who had been hoping for a relaxing break this summer after two years of Covid-19. Staff shortages and axed flights have already made leaving the country difficult this year.

And strikes in Spain are also being mooted by Ryanair cabin crew, while proposed action by Spanish hauliers raises the prospect of product shortages in hotels during the peak summer season.