160909 - Swissport statement regarding ballot for industrial action at Birmingham Airport
Swissport has been advised by Unite, the trade union representing some of its staff at Birmingham, that it intends to hold a ballot for industrial action at the airport.
"It is astonishing that Unite, once again, is prepared to put their members' livelihoods at risk by undertaking such action," Mark Faulkner, Chief Executive Officer of Swissport said. "The union is aware that we are fighting to maintain our business in one of the most challenging economic climates of living memory and one which is hitting our company very hard. To demand a pay increase and threaten industrial action, when the company is working so hard to minimise job losses, is ludicrous.”
Swissport paid an increase of 4.0% to its staff last year which represents an increase in living standards. It has explained that, against a 19% drop in revenue and mounting losses, it is unable to offer a pay increase this year. The company has introduced a scheme to share cost savings with its staff and has recently improved other employment benefits. These were dismissed by the Union. Swissport is committed to continued engagement with all its staff in the future and will continue to communicate fully on the improved training opportunities, employee benefits and business awareness available at all its stations.
Unite ballots at other airports resulted in less than 10% of Swissport staff voting for industrial action. Despite this result Unite called for action over one of the year’s busiest bank holidays when families and travelling passengers would be most affected.
Further enquiries to Russell Ison at Batphone PR London on +44 (0)7733 106371
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Swissport International Ltd., which is owned by Ferrovial, a leading global infrastructure and service corporation based in Spain, provides ground services for over 70 million passengers and 3.5 million tonnes of cargo a year on behalf of some 650 client companies. With its workforce of around 32 000 personnel, Swissport is active at 182 airports in 38 countries on five continents, and generated consolidated operating revenue of CHF 1.9 billion (EUR 1.2 billion or USD 1.7 billion) last year. www.swissport.com / www.ferrovial.com
"It is astonishing that Unite, once again, is prepared to put their members' livelihoods at risk by undertaking such action," Mark Faulkner, Chief Executive Officer of Swissport said. "The union is aware that we are fighting to maintain our business in one of the most challenging economic climates of living memory and one which is hitting our company very hard. To demand a pay increase and threaten industrial action, when the company is working so hard to minimise job losses, is ludicrous.”
Swissport paid an increase of 4.0% to its staff last year which represents an increase in living standards. It has explained that, against a 19% drop in revenue and mounting losses, it is unable to offer a pay increase this year. The company has introduced a scheme to share cost savings with its staff and has recently improved other employment benefits. These were dismissed by the Union. Swissport is committed to continued engagement with all its staff in the future and will continue to communicate fully on the improved training opportunities, employee benefits and business awareness available at all its stations.
Unite ballots at other airports resulted in less than 10% of Swissport staff voting for industrial action. Despite this result Unite called for action over one of the year’s busiest bank holidays when families and travelling passengers would be most affected.
Further enquiries to Russell Ison at Batphone PR London on +44 (0)7733 106371
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Swissport International Ltd., which is owned by Ferrovial, a leading global infrastructure and service corporation based in Spain, provides ground services for over 70 million passengers and 3.5 million tonnes of cargo a year on behalf of some 650 client companies. With its workforce of around 32 000 personnel, Swissport is active at 182 airports in 38 countries on five continents, and generated consolidated operating revenue of CHF 1.9 billion (EUR 1.2 billion or USD 1.7 billion) last year. www.swissport.com / www.ferrovial.com
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