CT Business Travel

Baggage Handler Staff to Strike at Stansted Easter Weekend

CT Business Travel — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:18:07 +0000

Baggage handling staff at Stansted airport have voted to strike during the Easter weekend, over claims that new shift patterns could result in pay cuts of up to £1,000.
The BMG union representing baggage handlers at the airport said that members have voted “overwhelmingly” for strike action, with walkouts set to take place on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday.
GMB official Gary Pearce said that the union “has offered several alternative shift patterns and working arrangements but the company refuses to listen so far”.
“I have notified Swissport of the ballot result and I have asked them for more talks to try to avert action over these pay cuts,” said Pearce.
“GMB members consider that Swissport [employers of the baggage handling staff] is attempting to make savings at their expense and they are not willing to agree to this.
“Unless there is urgent talks and a settlement, this vote for action this will result in disruption over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.”

Iberia is Facing 30 Days of Strikes

CT Business Travel — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:53:07 +0000

Iberia is facing 30 days of strikes by its pilots in an escalating protest against the Spanish airline’s new low-cost carrier, Iberia Express, which launched this week.
Sepla, the Spanish pilots union, said on Tuesday that it was organising strikes every Monday and Friday between April 9 and July 20 after negotiations with Iberia about Iberia Express broke down last week.

Air France ground workers threaten to strike

CT Business Travel — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:11:41 +0000

IFW reported on Monday that Air France workers plan to stage a strike on Friday, 30 March. Three unions representing ground staff of the French airline have called for a work stoppage.

The strike may only have a limited impact on flights because pilot and cabin crew unions are not supporting the industrial action, an Air France spokesperson said.

Passengers planning to fly on Friday should contact the airline well in advance of departure to confirm flight status.

Israel: Labor dispute could lead to Israel Railways shutdown on 27 March

CT Business Travel — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:39:11 +0000

From media reports: Haaretz.com and the Jerusalem Post are reporting that a labor dispute between Israel Railways and labor unions may shut down passenger rail traffic in the country on 27 March.

The Histadrut labor federation is an ongoing labor dispute over conditions at the government-owned company.

Discussions are expected to continue Monday night, but the labor union says it will shut down all rail service on Tuesday.

A work dispute declared Monday allows workers to strike and could eventually lead to work stoppages at Ben Gurion Airport, ports, and bus lines as well.

General Strike in Spain on 29 March will Impact Transport

CT Business Travel — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:28:53 +0000

From media reports: Reuters is reporting that a nationwide general strike on 29 March will severely limit bus, train and air transportation.

Unions are protesting high unemployment.

Only 20 percent of flights from Spain to other destinations in Europe will run Thursday. Domestic flights will be cut to 10 percent and flights to Spanish islands will be cut in half.

Commuter and subway trains will be limited to 35 percent at peak hours and 30 percent a non peak hours.

Bus service will also be impacted.

Travelers should make arrangements to either travel on another day or be prepared for long delays.

German Airports to be Impacted by Ground Handling Strike on 27 March

CT Business Travel — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:27:44 +0000

Air carrier Lufthansa is reporting that a ground handling strike by trade union Verdi on 27 March could have impacts on several airports.

Frankfurt Airport is expected to be affected from 5 am to 2:30 pm local time, Munich International from 6 am to 2 pm, Dusseldorf International Airport from 8 am to 2 pm, Cologne/Bonn Airport from 4 am to noon and Stuttgart from 6 to 11 am.

Check with your individual carrier for information about delays or cancellations.

Strikes Expected to Affect Transportation

CT Business Travel — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:26:41 +0000

Strikes are expected to slow traffic to a crawl in Lisbon on Thursday when thousands take to the streets to vent anger at austerity measures and rising unemployment as Portugal’s economy skids.

The strike is expected to hit public transport service hard, with the Lisbon metro to shut on Wednesday evening and reopen only on Friday, with only minimal service on buses and trains.

Demonstrations are expected in the capital and other main cities over labour reforms.

Dates Set for Heathrow Express Strike

CT Business Travel — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:10:17 +0000

Workers on the Heathrow Express are to stage two walk-outs in a dispute over disciplinary action taken against two employees.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union will walk out for nine hours from 0300 GMT on March 24 and for 12 hours from 1100 GMT on March 25.

Dates set for Heathrow Express strikes

CT Business Travel — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:23:23 +0000

Workers on the Heathrow Express are to stage two walk-outs in a dispute over disciplinary action taken against two employees.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union will walk out for nine hours from 0300 GMT on March 24 and for 12 hours from 1100 GMT on March 25.

Flight Disruption – Customs Workers Begin Strike

CT Business Travel — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:59:18 +0000

Reuters reported on Tuesday that customs workers in Kuwait began a strike because of a dispute concerning benefits and wages. On the first day of the industrial action, little disruption was noted at Kuwait’s border crossings, international airport or ports.

“Today’s action is small. It is not causing a big problem, but we will have to see what happens tomorrow,” one Kuwaiti official said.

Bloomberg News reported nearly 3,600 workers will not “step down” until the prime minister intervenes to meet their demands.

There could be possible demonstrations linked to the strikes. The amount of disruption to travel could increase as the strike progresses. Flight delays are a possibility.

International passengers planning to fly into or out of Kuwait should contact their airline well in advance of departure to confirm flight status.