Iberia workers will meet this afternoon to discuss proposals

A meeting has been scheduled for 4pm today in Madrid between Iberia staff and management.

A mediator appointed by the government will put forward proposals to include fewer job cuts and less salary reductions. However, an agreement still looks a long way off.

An offer from the company to reduce layoffs and soften wage cuts has already been rejected by staff who are still threatening to strike over the Easter period, a peak tourist time for Spain. The company loses €3 million every day that Iberia workers are on strike.

The proposal from the mediator suggests that Iberia lay off a total of 3,141 people and cut salaries by an average of 15 per cent. It also proposes compensation of 35 days’ pay per year worked, more generous than conditions offered by other companies under changes to Spain’s labour laws.