Baggage handlers at Palma airport are furious amid claims a pipe leak has not been fixed and is flooding their work area with sewage water. First reported on Friday, the leak was subsequently fixed, according to management from the AENA airport authority.
However, baggage handlers claimed the problem was still ongoing on Saturday, alleging water continued to flood their work spaces. Some 180 people can work in the affected area of the airport, particularly during peak hours at weekends.
Workers are convinced the leak is sewage, given its colour and foul smell – all of which is made worse by the heat.
“AENA is not taking any measures, and we are working here with terrible smells,” an employee told the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
The leak is believed to be connected with construction work at Palma airport, which union leaders say is causing chaos and misery to workers.
The CCOO union warned that “this situation cannot continue any longer”, as patience runs out and anger mounts.
They told the airport director, Tomás Melgar, that the work is causing “enormous interference in the daily lives of people who work at the airport.”
The Express has contacted AENA for comment.
The union referred to a recent partial collapse of a roof in the arrivals area, as an example of the intolerable conditions workers are facing.
Just over 10 days ago, glass and other construction debris plummeted to the floor, as the roof collapsed.
No one was injured and the area was immediately cordoned off by security staff.
In January, staff and passengers were reportedly smothered in dust amid renovation work at the airport, promoting many complaints.
One staff member said: “Neither employees or passengers could breathe and many people were slipping because of the dust on the ground.
“Having to work in these sorts of conditions is disgraceful.”