Iberia,Spanish Airline Workers on a 5-day Strike -Monday Feb 18,2013

Workers at the Spanish airline Iberia have begun a five-day strike in protest at planned cuts to jobs and salaries.

Iberia has announced plans to cut 3,807 jobs after it reported mounting losses last year.
In the first nine month of 2012 it lost 262m euros (£226m; $349m)

Iberia merged with British Airways in 2011 to create International Airlines Group, and the new management has been trying to cut costs.

Iberia has been hit by increased competition from low-cost carriers and a prolonged recession in its home market

Iberia has cancelled more than 400 flights out of 1,000 scheduled for this week, with cabin crew and baggage handlers staging the walk-out.Iberia said 70,000 passengers would be affected by the first strike

Spanish Airline Iberia staff walk near the highway as protest against job cuts outside Barajas Airport on February 18, 2013 in Madrid, Spain

Spanish Airline Iberia staff protest against job cuts at Barajas Airport on February 18, 2013 in Madrid, Spain