Ground staff and cabin crew at Iberia are planning strikes on 15 days during three separate periods of February and March.

The unions involved announced that industrial action will take place from February 18 to 22, March 4 to 8 and March 18 to 22.

Their announcement followed the unions’ rejection of Iberia’s company transformation plan, despite compromises by the management.

The new offer represented a 30 per cent decrease in the staff reduction initially proposed by management, smaller pay cuts and early retirements rather than layoffs.

In a statement reacting to the strikes announcement, the airline said: “At a time of weakness for Iberia, this announcement of such a disproportionate action only aggravates an already difficult situation.

“The company will use all legal means at its disposal to make the adjustments needed to restore it to profitability and to have a future.

“When and if the strike dates are confirmed, Iberia will do everything in its power to offer solutions and travel alternatives to its customers, as it has done in the past.”