Aviapartner’s management and trade unions have reached a memorandum of understanding, meaning the threat of further disruption to flights as a result of last week’s baggage handlers’ strike is likely over. A spontaneous strike had broken out last Monday following the recent announcement of a new pay system for the baggage handling company. Trade unions said workers already “did not feel sufficiently listened to, valued or involved” and that the new pay system was decided without social consultation, but they have since been able to
present their demands “in a calm manner”. “Progress has been made, resulting in a memorandum of understanding that is satisfactory enough to be put to the staff,” said Hans Elsen of the ACV Puls union, speaking on behalf of the joint trade union front. Aviapartner is one of two providers of airport passenger assistance services operating at Brussels Airport. Last week’s strike caused delays at Brussels Airport for about 60 flights operated by airlines that use Aviapartner for passenger check-in and boarding. An attempt at
mediation on Tuesday failed, leading to worries about further strikes, especially after unions sharply criticised management’s approach to social dialogue and accused them of harbouring a dismissive attitude that “runs counter to the spirit of the conciliation procedure and does not help to restore trust in the workplace”. Management in turn said that “calling an unannounced strike, in the middle of the holiday season and while the company has shown considerable willingness to compromise, constitutes an unacceptable means of exerting pressure”. The trade unions said
they had warned management on several occasions that “dissatisfaction on the shop floor was growing and that employees felt they were not being listened to, valued or involved enough”. “When these very employees – who are traditionally very loyal to their company and their jobs – feel compelled to take spontaneous action, it shows just how deep the frustration runs,” they said in a joint statement. While the threat of future strikes seems to have passed, the recently reached agreement between management and unions must
be presented to staff before it can be implemented.
Aviapartner, Brussels Airport, baggage handlers strike, memorandum of understanding, trade unions, ACV Puls, Hans Elsen, passenger assistance services, flight disruptions, social consultation, pay system