Spain plans to extend decree over ATM strike

Spain's Government, which imposed a 15-day state of alert to end a wildcat strike by air traffic controllers, stated on 06-Dec-2010 it may extend the measure to prevent any further disruptions (AFP, 06-Dec-2010). The government reportedly plans to keep the decree in force for two months to provide time to prepare military controllers that could replace the civilian ones if necessary. Services began to return to normal on 06-Dec-2010 after the government declared the state of emergency which placed the controllers under military command. AENA has opened disciplinary proceedings against 442 controllers over the incident. It is estimated the strike could cost the country's tourism industry EUR400 million (USD532 million) in lost revenue. The government had significantly reduced their overtime hours and pay rates in Feb-2010 to trim incomes which rose as high as 600,000 euros p/a. Controllers commenced strike action on 03-Dec-2010 in reaction against a government ruling that their maximum work hours of 1,670 hours a year - 32 hours a week - exclude non-aeronautical work. Approximately 96% of the country's controllers were working on 06-Dec-2010. [more - IFATCA] [more - Jet2]