Baggage handlers on strike at Geneva Airport

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, especially when flights to and from the UK are already being delayed due to the freezing temperatures and snow, but it seems a strike by baggage handlers at Geneva International Airport is gathering momentum.

According to Swiss newspaper reports, there are two unions representing Swissport staff. One (PUSH) has agreed a new working contract, whilst the VPOD union has not. Swissport staff who are part of VPOD fear for their working conditions and salaries and have refused to agree the new contract, which was proposed at the end of December 2009.

Swissport is one of two service companies at Geneva (GVA) airport and handles bags for the likes of easyJet, Aer Lingus and Swiss. The other company, Dnata, who handles British Airways, Jet2 and MyTravel amongst others is not affected byt the strike.

On strike since the 1st January 2010, the action started with just seven Swissport employees walking out in protest, now the VPOD union claims the numbers are around 70 and talk is of disrupting flights in and out of the airport this weekend.

Banned from protesting inside the airport, the employees have erected a tent outside as a base from which to make their views heard and have been flying car windscreens in and around the airport.

In response to the escalating action, the Swiss minister for employment Francois Longchamp is now getting involved, with talks for all concerned parties planned for today, Thursday.

At the time of writing, most flights were experiencing delays of around an hour both inbound and outbound from Geneva, but due to the weather conditions in the UK and rest of Europe. We'll keep you informed of developments.

Source : Romandie News, radio MB and Swissport.ch