Airbus strike: Pre-agreement backed by majority unions faces referendum amid ongoing protests

Over three weeks into the Airbus Spain strike, a pre-agreement backed by unions representing over 75% of the negotiating committee proposes a 12% salary increase through 2027, but the deal faces a binding referendum on July 23 as some workers continue to protest.

The pre-agreement

SIPA, the union that called the strike, and ATP have joined the pre-agreement reached earlier with CCOO Source: ABC.es. The deal includes 5% raises in 2026 and 2027, additional bonuses, and a guarantee linking future increases to CPI+1% for 2028-2029 Source: Infobae. CCOO called it "very positive" Source: ABC.es, while SIPA acknowledged it is "not ideal" but "good enough" to put to a vote Source: Infobae.

Continued opposition

Despite the pre-agreement, other unions—UGT, CGT, UTIL—and many workers reject it. Some 1,000 workers (3,500 per organizers) marched in Seville chanting "Benefits in the skies, conditions on the ground" Source: Infobae. A worker from CGT stated the proposal "still lacks legitimacy" and declared continued mobilizations Source: Infobae. The strike, which began July 1, has seen 90% of the 14,000-strong workforce absent Source: El Mundo. If no accord is reached, an indefinite strike is set to start August 24 Source: El Español.

Impact on production

Unions claim the strike is halting supply chains to the Toulouse assembly line, with the Beluga aircraft grounded and military programs like the A400M slowed Source: El Mundo. However, Airbus insists production is protected and that it maintains its 2026 delivery target of 870 aircraft Source: El Mundo. CEO Guillaume Faury visited Spain to address the conflict, acknowledging communication errors and creating a direct oversight team Source: El Confidencial.