Iberdrola unions have called on more than 9,000 workers in Spain to strike on Friday, demanding higher wages and reduced working hours in what they say would be the first walkout of its kind in the company's more than 100-year history.
Europe's largest power utility raised wages for its Spanish employees by an average of 2.8% between 2021 and 2024, while inflation stood at 19%, a representative from the CCOO union told Reuters on Wednesday.
The unions, representing the majority of the workforce, are demanding that Iberdrola tie wage increases to annual inflation to ensure workers do not lose purchasing power, the representative said, adding that talks have been ongoing since January.
The strike would be the first in the company's more than a century-long history, the union representative noted.
"The cost is minimal compared to the profits the company posts year after year," the representative added.
Iberdrola's global net profit in 2024 rose by 17% compared to the previous year, according to company data.
Iberdrola did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The strike will not cause power outages, as Spanish law requires company employees to maintain minimum service levels. At least 1,100 Iberdrola workers will need to be on duty Friday to ensure continued service.
(Reporting by Javi West Larrañaga, editing by Inti Landauro and Sharon Singleton, Spanish edition by Jorge Ollero Castela)
