Crisis in Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza as islands face new threat

Residents and tourists across the Balearic Islands are facing the imminent threat of a bus strike, which will disrupt travel services in the holiday hotspot. The strike plans result from ongoing tensions between staff members and their employers over pay and working conditions.

The two groups have not been able to reach an agreement after six months of negotiations, which has led to bus drivers preparing for industrial action that could begin at the end of July, the peak of the summer holiday season. Sati, the union representing the drivers, has said that if there is no agreement by July 25, the strike will proceed, causing significant disruption to services.

The strike scheduled for July 18, 21, and 23, coinciding with the beginning of the summer holidays, will undoubtedly cause chaos across the islands, particularly Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza.

The TIB transport brand, which includes buses, trains, and metros, operates in key areas of the islands, and its services are crucial for moving both locals and visitors alike, reports Travel and Tour World. Between January and April 2024, nearly 6.5 million passengers used TIB buses.

Public transport is vital for the daily functioning of the islands, especially during the peak tourism season, when the number of visitors surges. Many tourists who rely on it for sightseeing and travelling between different attractions could risk finding themselves stranded or forced to use other means of transport, often more expensive ones.

While TIB trains and metro services will be unaffected by the strikes, bus services are at the core of the transport network, and so if the strikes are carried out, this will be a major issue for those heading to the islands for their holidays.

A tribunal arbitration session is set to begin on Tuesday, July 15, in hopes of reaching a mediation and preventing a full-scale strike.

The potential strike action, along with reports of accommodation price hikes in Majorca, has sparked fears that British tourists will head to other destinations for their holidays.

However, Juan Rodriguez, president of the works council and bus driver, said significant changes in management practices would be necessary to make any real progress. Others are worried that the solution will not be achieved in time to prevent the strike from escalating.