EasyJet's Spanish cabin crew to strike amid ongoing pay dispute

Low-cost carrier EasyJet's Spanish cabin crew intends to strike for nine days in July as part of an effort to secure better wages.

Local union USO revealed on Tuesday that EasyJet's staff will walk out between 1 July and 3 July, 15 July and 17 July, and 29 July and 31 July, potentially adding to existing headwinds in the travel sector as it struggles to deal with rebounding demand.

EasyJet flight attendants in Spain have demanded a 40% hike in basic salaries, according to USO general secretary Miguel Galan.

"The company underestimated the outlook, was more pessimistic and conservative and is not ready for the demand," Galan stated. "This generates a domino effect on us."

The news comes shortly after the budget airline outlined plans to cut more UK flights over the peak summer period, with up to 10,000 of EasyJet's 160,000 flights on sale for July, August, and September now likely to no longer go ahead.

USO, which represents 80% of EasyJet's Spanish staff, will meet with management later in the day in order to try and avoid the strike.

As of 1300 BST, EasyJet shares were down 2.34% at 433.30p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com