Finally a deal! There was a tough business dispute between Swissport and the unions SEV-GATA, VPOD and kfmv. Swissport employees at Zurich Airport protested for better working conditions in the summer.
In particular, ground personnel are asked to remove the crisis regulations introduced after the pandemic. The two sides of the dispute have now agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement (GAV).
4% more salary
Employees demanded the lifting of the GAV crisis, which has restricted workers’ rights since the pandemic, and higher wages. A total of nine rounds of negotiation were required to reach an agreement.
Swissport has now met most of the demands. The new collective bargaining agreement raises employee rights to pre-crisis levels. Staff are also guaranteed a four percent increase in wages.
In addition, an automatic cost of living adjustment is provided for in the contract. However, employees receive a one-time payment of CHF 500 and now only have to work 39 hours a week. The new GAV is valid for the next four years.
All that shines is not gold
At first glance, this seems like a success for the unions. They are also satisfied. “The return to GAV19 and inflation adjustment are important steps to recover from the precarious working conditions of the past few months,” union secretary Regula Pauli said in a press release.
But it’s not all set and dried yet. The workers had to give up some of their demands for a deal. Swissport’s final approval is still missing. If they don’t eventually sign the deal, it will be “a slap in the face,” according to the union. In this case, the situation at the airport may deteriorate again.