Spanish air traffic controllers say they won’t strike in August to protect tourism

Spanish air traffic controllers hold off on strike

MADRID — Spain’s air traffic controllers say they will not stage a threatened strike in August to avoid hurting tourism.

After a four-hour meeting Tuesday, the controllers’ union USCA said it had decided to hold off on the stoppage in the hope the government aviation authority would resume negotiations that broke down last week.

The dispute centers on a recent decree that increases the hours controllers work and shortens their rest breaks during shifts.

The union claims Spain’s roughly 2,000 air traffic controllers are overworked and understaffed. It demands a meeting with Development Minister Jose Blanco, whom they accuse of imposing the changes in a heavy-handed fashion.