No news to post whatsoever this morning!!

Will keep checking when I can

The Canarian government is set to take legal action against air traffic controllers over the strike planned for later in August. Regional president Paulino Rivero said on radio yesterday that he would not allow the controllers to inflict further damage on the Canarian economy and tourist sector.

Island Connections article.

http://www.islandconnections.eu/1000003/1000043/0/29469/daily-news-article.html

The minister for Development says that is must be the controllers who 'should make a move'.

The Minister of Fomento expects the controllers to define and say what they want, either "you reach an agreement," accept "arbitration" or call a strike.

Sources of Development indicated that "are controllers who must move" because "AENA has not broken the negotiations, but it has been the controllers who have refused to accept the agreements already made."

The Ministry requested that representatives of the controllers assume "once and for all" a position that stops the "uncertainty" that affects tourism, one of the main sectors of the Spanish economy.

The Ministry's view is there are three possibilities to bring the situation: first, to accept the proposals put on the table and with representatives of the Union of Air Traffic Controllers Association (USCA) were almost in agreement, according to the Ministry .

The second is to be a voluntary arbitration, which was offered by AENA since last Friday and Secretary of State for Transport, Concepción Gutiérrez, supported and is the Development Ministry position.

YAnd finally, if you want to call strike, convene, but already fix the day, because this uncertainty is only a phantom strike, the spokesman said the ministry.

Last Friday there was the breakdown in negotiations. Whenaccording to representatives of USCA, it was AENA who broke when they required to continue the talks formally that the union make a statement that was not going to call strike .

The minutes of that meeting states that "representatives of USCA intend to continue the meeting the next day.

On this, the record indicates, the representation of AENA replied that to continue negotiations requires a formal declaration by the USCA in which it is shown that is not going to call a strike.

USCA replied that it can not commit not to carry out such a strike, because that responsibility lies with another body of the union, which is the Executive Committee.

USCA sources indicated that this body is expected to meet on Thursday to make a decision.

Ok, i fly out on the 15th so should i expect some disruptions ?

You will be fine on the 15th . The union have to legally give 10 days notice of the dates they wish to strike on so even if they declared dates today - 9th - they would not be able to strike before the 19th

Had a look at the news and it is really just repeating what we have heard over the past couple of days.

One side blaming the other for leaving the table, and neither backing down to re-join the negotiations.

USCA (union) states that they are giving AENA (airport authorities) 3 days to reconvene the meeting.

Failing that they will meet on Thursday to decide on if/when/how long to strike.

An announcement will be made either Thursday or Friday.

Ahhh i hope so, thanks

This is the first holiday i have ever booked in my life, its all so stressful !

Chill out and have a fab holiday - this is the best time - the countdown - YYYYYYAAAAYYY!!!!!!

AENA expected to remove the drivers' union strike threat to resume negotiations

MADRID, Aug 9 (AFP) -

Spanish Airports and Air Navigation (AENA) is waiting for the meeting of the executive committee of the controllers' union (USCA) and the announcement of the end of the strike threat to resume negotiations immediately.

The public agency said in a statement he regretted that the controllers' union has not held an emergency meeting with the committee and that the resumption of negotiations need to take several days.

With regard to the demands of the union, controllers would return to the negotiating table if they get written commitments reached at the negotiating table, AENA said that such commitments are already covered in the written minutes of meetings from the negotiating table signed by both parties.

These commitments relate to issues such as social action, regularization of workers over 57 years, training, work loads or reference configurations. The differences persist in aspects of working hours and pay, and to reach an agreement on them AENA reiterates its offer to submit to independent arbitration.

Air traffic controllers should feel some pressure now, some spanish travel companies are threatening to sue them if they go on strike! Thats good. But if there is a strike it can not last long when millions are lost every day.. still just wait and see and hope that Friday give us some kind of answer. Holiday feeling is low as long as one does not know anything it is good you all keep us updated. Just want to have our wonderful vacation in mallorca!

MENORCA, Aug 9 (AFP) -

Deputy Secretary of communication People's Party, Esteban Gonzalez Pons, has called for Development Minister, Jose Blanco, to resolve the conflict with air traffic controllers.

During a press conference in Menorca, González Pons has admitted that the government "is right on most of their arguments", but indicated that in the event that the situation is resolved, "the only political leader is José Blanco, who will have failed as a minister. "

In his statement, the popular leader added that "Blanco claims to be a hard worker and now has the chance to prove it. This August, the minister must work to avoid the crisis of the controllers."

González Pons pointed out that five months ago all the parliamentary forces showed their "support" to Jose Blanco to negotiate and resolve the problem so precisely that it would, "not affect in August,". While it has accused the portfolio holder for the Promotion of "mismanaging the trust received from the Parliament."

"According to the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (Cehat), reservations for the rest of this month are already down 30 per cent from the figures predicted."

(Reuters) "If no agreement is reached between the two parties in the next few hours, we demand the unions accept AENA's offer of arbitration and immediately call off the air strike threat," Exceltur, which groups Spain's major hotel chains, travel agents, tour operators and airlines, said in a statement.

The airport authority and the USCA union representing air traffic controllers had been expected to reach an agreement by Friday, after which time AENA said it would aim to settle the matter through arbitration.

In the event the strike threat was not withdrawn and the offer of arbitration rejected, Exceltur said it would hold the air traffic controllers solely responsible for the adverse impact on Spain's tourism sector. "And we will participate in any legal action that companies and sector associations might take in this negative hypothesis," Exceltur said.

Economists estimate that the tourist industry will lost 39 millions Euros for each day of the strike

That's without the hold on late bookings/flights which as you say Swedgirl are 30% down!!

Can't believe that they said they would hold an emergency meeting with 'great urgency' - that was Friday - the meeting is to be held .............. nearly a week later - this THURSDAY!!!!!!

Speechless!!

I agree Hippyjak! I am totally SPEECHLESS! Where is the urgency? It is all just words to the Government, AENA and the Union.

They should all be having talks RIGHT NOW!!

Ryanair is calling for standardised pan-European air traffic control following recent action by French air traffic control staff. The airline is suggesting that if strikers in Spain, for example, took action, disruption could be minimised by having controllers in other countries handling the air traffic until strike action ended.

"The Spanish economy, passengers and airlines cannot afford these airport closures at a time when traffic and tourism is suffering," the airline announced in a press release.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: "Air transport and tourism are vital to the Spanish economy and the Government must ensure that Spanish airports remain open during strikes by calling on the military to provide air traffic control services "¦ this happens in many other European countries when strikes threaten air transport.

"[The threatened] Spanish air traffic control strikes and the industrial action taken by French ATC workers in recent weeks highlight the urgent need for a standardised Europe-wide system of air traffic control to ensure that striking air traffic controllers in one country do not hold the travelling public to ransom."

I feel for everyone who may be affected by this strike action. It really does feel like we are being held to ransome
I hope we all get the news we want on Thursday and thank you everyone for keeping us up-to-date with information.
I have phoned and e-mailed Monarch Airlines to be sent the information about volcani ash
I am hoping to take my three children away on the 22nd for their first every holiday so fingers crossed it isn't a nightmare xx

It feels good that there are thoughts of a Plan B if the strike occurs after all. Of the many articles I read, I have concluded and believe that they (government) will resolve the situation, even if the worst happens. One should probably expect delays, but as long as you can get there it feels OK ... Government will not allow traffic standing still, they can not afford it. Hope everything will work out for the best.
Otherwise it suuuucks! :yikesFollowing this media coverage, we all need a vacation!

ah thank s hippyjak again. i have tried to forget about this today, just for a while as it is getting me totally stressed and thats not like me. i still can not believe they are playing with peoples minds like this. what a p**s take!!! you are much better than the uk news hippjak!!!

The drivers will decide today whether or not to strike

Air traffic controllers will decide this afternoon whether to strike after taking the conclusion of the USCA's executive committee, which met after 17 hours, in order to "alleviate the uncertainty in the tourism sector and passengers. "

The meeting of the USCA Executive Committee was scheduled for Thursday, after the breakdown of negotiations by both parties staged last Friday.

The USCA Communications Secretary, Cesar A. Cabo, said that despite the "irresponsible attitude" of AENA, which "almost seems to want to go on strike, the union has decided to bring forward its decision to" clear the uncertainty "as the passengers have asked them to in the messages they have sent.

"We understand that for passengers is an uncertainty that must be solved as soon as possible even though we are prevented from going on strike to negotiate. We want to solve the situation," said Cape, who revealed that during the recent days many messages have been coming in "from users asking them to materialize if there will be strikes and dates.

As recorded in the minutes of the last meeting held on Friday between AENA and drivers, For USCA to continue negotiations over the weekend, for which AENA required them to submit a formal declaration stating that they are not going to call strikes.

The USCA noted that responsibility rests with its governing body and pledged to convene to make the decision, meeting set for Thursday. The strikes, carried out today if they so choose, may take place from August 20 because the 10-day notice required by law.

AENA reiterated yesterday that he hopes that the union withdraw the "threat" to strike to resume negotiations while USCA regretted that he had not called "emergency" to its governing body to make a final decision by delaying it for several days.

USCA has insisted that the advancement of its decision not only responds to the request to AENA but also requests made from tourism, airlines and users.

So hopefully we will know more today - downside for me and others is that now they can start strike from 20th if they wish too - we fly 21st

The Executive meeting by USCA (air traffic controllers union) will take place today at 17.00 hrs.

That's 4pm our time