Talks to avert holiday strike by Madrid airport security workers break down

MADRID, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Talks aimed at avoiding a series of partial stoppages by security personnel at Barajas-Adolfo Suarez airport here broke down on Tuesday without an agreement between workers' representatives and the company Prosegur which employs them.

The failure of talks over pay and conditions, which were mediated by the Madrid's labor institute, opens the door to industrial action by security workers at the airport starting on Thursday and continuing until Jan. 8.

The stoppages will be held over four hour periods throughout the day, from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. (0430 to 0530 GMT), 10:30 to 11:30, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. local time.

A similar series of stoppages held by workers at Barcelona's El Prat airport in the summer caused delays of up to three hours for travelers, until the Spanish government directed members of the Civil Guard to cover for strikers.

Meanwhile, Prosegur has announced it will take legal action in an attempt to have the strikes declared illegal in order to prevent it. Enditem