Groundforce staff at Barcelona-El Prat Airport have called an indefinite strike beginning at 00:00 on Tuesday 4 August 2026. The action covers ground handling, check-in, passenger boarding and flight-coordination workers, meaning passengers using airlines served by the company could face disruption to these airport services.
CGT, the union section at Groundforce, said 1,179 workers are covered by the strike notice. Groundforce provides ground services for airlines including Air Europa, Lufthansa, Air France, Qatar Airways and United Airlines.
Union cites workload, fatigue and accident risk
The union said it had called the stoppage after what it described as a serious deterioration in risk prevention and occupational health conditions at the Barcelona base.
“It is the last tool we have. The company sees only numbers and we see only illnesses,” union sources told EFE, citing excessive workloads on the ramp, in baggage handling and in passenger services.
CGT said there were too few staff, with an increasingly inexperienced workforce, and referred to worsening safety, prevention and work-life balance conditions. The union said the working environment was producing unsustainable workloads, physical fatigue, stress and a risk of accidents.
Strike notice follows unsuccessful talks
The union said the strike followed several attempts at dialogue that had not produced a satisfactory response. CGT holds a majority on the company works council, with 27 delegates.
Groundforce is part of the Globalia group and holds ground-handling licences awarded by airport operator Aena in September 2023. The company could not be reached for comment when EFE sought a response, according to the report.
Passengers travelling from Barcelona-El Prat from 4 August should check directly with their airline for the status of check-in, baggage and flight services.
Reported by Source Text Link, Cristina Martín Valbuena, Jorge Masot, elcorreoweb.es, aeropuertosenred.com, Premsa, By Agencias/Demócrata, visahq.news, lavanguardia.com, europapress.es, Redacción, aereo.fsc.ccoo.es, THE OBJECTIVE, Exa, groundforce.aero, catalannews.com.
