Spain’s General Confederation of Labor (Confederación General del Trabajo, CGT) has called for an indefinite strike at Airbus’s Spanish factories starting on March 30 in protest of the company’s decision to reopen the plants following a four-day closure due to Covid-19 concerns.  

Calling the reason for the strike “more than justified,” the CGT blasted what it characterized as the company’s lax attitude toward protection measures for its staff during the health alert. The CGT further said the plant openings have endangered the health of employees and their families. Spain has reported more deaths from Covid-19 infection than has China and ranks second in the world behind Italy.  

“Airbus management has and must understand that the occupational health of working people is not a game, but rather the fundamental pillar for these centers to continue operating as such,” the CGT said in a statement. “Attitudes like these cannot be tolerated and cannot be allowed in a country where almost 1,000 people die every year trying to earn a living.”

The indefinite strike affects CGT-represented staff at Airbus’s Getafe, Illescas, Barajas, Tablada, and Albacete sites and covers all workers who want to support it, regardless of their union affiliation.

Airbus partially resumed production and assembly work at its French and Spanish plants on Monday after conducting four days of cleaning and health and safety checks. The European airframer added it has deployed the same measures across all other sites without full interruption.