USO challenges loss of overnight medical cover at Alicante-Elche airport

The Unión Sindical Obrera (USO) union has warned that Alicante-Elche airport will lose medical cover between midnight and 06:00 on winter nights, a reduction in provision about which it has asked Aena for an explanation.

The union is calling for the service to remain available around the clock for passengers and airport workers, warning of what it sees as the risk of facing possible medical emergencies without those staff during the early hours.

Javier Grau, USO’s representative at the airport, set out the complaint on Thursday 22 October in an interview with Radio Elche Cadena SER.

An email notification and a request for explanations

According to Grau, union representatives learnt of the change through an email, without the company having formally informed the works council or explained the reasons behind the alteration to the service.

USO has requested clarification from Aena and, its representative said, is waiting for a response before deciding what action it might take in relation to the change.

Grau maintains that medical cover has until now been provided continuously throughout the year, with the service primarily intended to attend to passengers using the airport.

His objection centres on the ability to maintain a good standard of care and respond to emergencies with the appropriate staff if overnight medical cover is removed.

Passengers also use the terminal in the early hours

Grau pointed out that the airport remains open 24 hours a day and that the first travellers begin arriving at around four in the morning to catch their flights.

He also noted that the day’s final flight operations can be delayed and that people continue to be present in the terminal during the early hours of the morning.

On that basis, USO argues that medical assistance should remain available throughout the day and night, rather than being limited to the periods when the airport is busiest.