A series of ground handler strikes will disrupt flights during over the coming weeks at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. Demonstrations are aimed to voice frustration over poor management and underpayment of workers. The strikes will take place on December 23, 26, 30 and January 2 and 7. Significant disruptions are likely due to the market share of the unions involved in Spanish aviation and the additional strain of the holiday period. 

Workers with the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) will strike between 12:01 AM and 11:00 PM from November 25 to 27, after extended failed negotiations with private rail company Iryo. The strike will be supported by 360 crew members and 13 office workers. This will reduce Iryo’s work capacity to governmentally mandated minimums, heavily affecting the high speed rail schedule in Madrid.

Power grid operators warn that Spain could experience a mass outage over the coming weeks. Red Elécrtica de España, responsible for operating the Spanish power grid, reported that they have seen power fluctuations over the last two weeks that threaten the stability of the system. The mass power outage on April 28 left tens of millions without power. Phone service, transportation, and essential services were massively disrupted.

There will be protests across the Netherlands on October 7 to oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza. This date coincides with the two-year anniversary of Hamas attacks on Israel. The timing is expected to heighten emotions and tensions among participants. Demonstrations will take place at train stations across the country, with large turnouts anticipated.

Student debt protesters, including supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters party’s Youth Command (EFF YC), are organizing marches in Pretoria, South Africa, on October 3 and 17. Demonstrators will gather at 12:00 PM at the Department of Higher Education and Training before marching to the Department of Trade and Industry.The protest is expected to attract significant attendance and will be accompanied by heightened security measures

Doctors and medical professionals will go on strike all-day across Spain on October 3. The Association for a Medical and Faculty Statute (APEMYF) representing 16 medical organizations failed to reach a deal with the Ministry of Health over reforms. A similar protest by the same organization in June led to thousands of canceled appointments and non urgent procedures.

Azul Handling ground workers, who provide ground handling services for Ryanair Group airlines, will strike August 15-17 from 5:00 AM-9:00 AM, 12:00 PM-3:00 PM, and 9:00 PM-11:59 PM. Should Azul Handling not come to a resolution with striking workers by the 17th, the work stoppages will continue every following Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday until December 31 during the same timeframes. Flight delays are expected, and cancellations are possible.