Strike at Geneva Airport: Dnata Employees Protest Working Conditions

2023-12-23 21:13:42

– Strike at Geneva airport this Sunday

Published: 12/23/2023, 10:13 p.m.

More than 600 Dnata employees are active on the Geneva airport platform, in freight, ticketing and baggage delivery. This Saturday evening, more than 300 people are said to have registered for the strike.

KEYSTONE

Some Dnata staff will be on strike at Geneva airport, this Sunday from 4 a.m., for an indefinite period. “The assembly of strikers will meet and decide on the duration of the strike,” declares SSP trade unionist Jamshid Pouranpir. More than 300 people registered.” An assertion which seems “exaggerated” in the eyes of Alexandre Koenig, member of the management of Dnata.

According to Alexandre Koenig, this strike should not be as massive as that of June 30, which paralyzed the airport for several hours. This time, “the most likely is that flights will be delayed, but not canceled”, estimates the manager who adds that “a contingency plan is planned to minimize the effects of the strike and ensure continuity of service”.

The management and staff of Dnata, the UAE ground handling company, have failed to resolve their dispute over working conditions. Employees are refusing a change to their pension contributions deemed unfavorable, in place since October 1. They are also demanding a Collective Labor Agreement (CCT) ensuring them better conditions.

3% increase

On Thursday, discussions between the Emirati company and the SSP union were held before the Chamber of Collective Labor Relations (CRCT). Dnata agreed to roll back the pension fund and increase salaries by 1.7% then 3%. While regretting “clumsy communication” and ensuring that he wanted to work on a CCT. Insufficient, according to the employees, who demand as good working conditions as at competitor Swissport.

“The only concession is the rollback on the pension fund,” regrets trade unionist Jamshid Pouranpir. The salary offer of 3% increase does not meet our requirement of 5%. Bonuses for arduous work, compensation for night and Sunday work, limitation of flexibility, etc. are requests that Dnata has refused.”

Alexandre Koenig says he is “extremely disappointed. Mr. Pouranpir’s demand on Thursday was a 3% increase. On Friday, we accepted it. Today, it is 5%. This escalation is only done to justify the strike, which has become a goal in itself.”

Remember that 600 Dnata employees are active on the Geneva airport platform, in freight, ticket issuance and even baggage delivery.

Development follows

Sophie Davaris is deputy editor-in-chief of the Tribune de Genève where she has worked since 2000. A graduate of Sciences-Po Paris and the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, she is particularly interested in the fields of medicine and public health. More informations

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