11/05/2016 Aviapartner strike at Brussels Airport

[Acid-drop]

You make it seem as if everyone has a choice in terms of which job they take. Some people don't really have a choice, and can't afford to leave if they don't want to get kicked out of their house by the end of the month.

I strongly disagree with your view.
Most of the problems, most strikes, most unhappy people are like that exactly because they wrongly beleive they can't change jobs. Nobody is born beeing a dentist, or a carpenter. Everything can be learned, everything can change.
The real issue is that some people take their job for granted and are ready to start a nuclear war just because they are too lazy to question themselves. If you don't like your situation, change it !
"Demanding" is a shame.

But I guess that the social elections are taking their toll: each union wants to show that they are the best in defending their members.

And the worse is ... it's unlikely that this is the last strike of the year...
Once they understood that this is now the good time to ask anything, they will all do it, one after the other.

When those members will have lost their jobs, they might not be so proud anymore of their union.

I'm not so sure of that.
If they destroy jobs, they make themselves and "some party" stronger.
More members = more money flow = more power.
If you are optimistic you would call that a big conflict of interest
if you are pessimistic you would scream for conspiracy.

But what a terrible damage to the reputation of BRU!

Indeed. But the whole country is failing. Not today, not because of the attack.
it's a house of card : a lot of weak points and a lot of collateral damage.

[Nevihta]

You should also be considering that some managers know it's a hard time for workers to claim things, and are using it...
Another point is that some corporations cannot defend themselves, because not allowed to talk in the medias.
So you'll always have the side from the management, or from the one that has the best communication cell...

Most of the problems, most strikes, most unhappy people are like that exactly because they wrongly beleive they can't change jobs.

Sometimes it's your duty to defend some aspects (security is one of them...), and as an insider (policemen, militaries, ATC ...) you see very bad things happening, and no one cares...

[b720]

The grievances might be legitamate; however the way things unfolded ie wild cat strike!! and the timing could not have been worse. They could have warned and announced a strike in a few days, giving room for negotiations. The strikers' message was: we do not give a toss about our guests, nor about our employer. This twisted mentality must change.

[convair]

This twisted mentality must change.

You're absolutely right about that: it's even no longer "me first", it's "me and me"!

[Jetter]

If no other company is willing to pay these employees what Aviapartner is paying as you imply by them 'not having a choice as they have to pay their mortgage', apparently they get appreciated very well in monetary terms.

I am not judging on this strike, but I have a strong impression that you lost reality a bit, no?

If so, what's the flaw in my reasoning? If I have something on offer, and someone is willing to compensate me better than anyone else that I can find then I'm fairly rewarded at least.

[Passenger]

When all employees with an error on their monthy pay note would go on a wildcat strike, there will be at least 1.000 wildcat strikes every day in Belgium. When there is an error, you contact your HR department direct or you contact them via your trade union delegate, and you ask for a rectification on next month's pay note. End of story.

I agree with Aviapartner's CEO (though most of the Belgian press refuse to cover his version): we are in the middle of social elections, and some delegates abused a legitimate complaint about some unvoluntary errors to organize a wildcat strike.

Aviapartner already lost Thomas Cook and Alitalia. This wildcat strike will probably be the drop in the bucket for another airline to switch. And Aviapartner Brussels Airport is already a company in bad health (= based upon old figures = their 2014 annual account). The group only survives thanks to 3i and thanks to their other branches (like LUX).

Too bad we can't go back to the old Belgavia, with mr. Verhougstraete in charge and Jacky D'Hoogh running the company. And with all employees understanding it's the airlines that pay their salary.

[Jetter]

It should be noted that reportedly some 40% of Aviapartner staff didn't join the strike. So reality is far from completely lost among their employees. Sadly the egoistic actions of the 60% ruined the image of all of them.

[flightlover]

When all employees with an error on their monthy pay note would go on a wildcat strike, there will be at least 1.000 wildcat strikes every day in Belgium. When there is an error, you contact your HR department direct or you contact them via your trade union delegate, and you ask for a rectification on next month's pay note. End of story.

I agree with Aviapartner's CEO (though most of the Belgian press refuse to cover his version): we are in the middle of social elections, and some delegates abused a legitimate complaint about some unvoluntary errors to organize a wildcat strike.

Aviapartner already lost Thomas Cook and Alitalia. This wildcat strike will probably be the drop in the bucket for another airline to switch. And Aviapartner Brussels Airport is already a company in bad health (= based upon old figures = their 2014 annual account). The group only survives thanks to 3i and thanks to their other branches (like LUX).

Too bad we can't go back to the old Belgavia, with mr. Verhougstraete in charge and Jacky D'Hoogh running the company. And with all employees understanding it's the airlines that pay their salary.

3i is no longer invested in AP. Their share has been taken over by HIG Capital.

[Conti764]

If no other company is willing to pay these employees what Aviapartner is paying as you imply by them 'not having a choice as they have to pay their mortgage', apparently they get appreciated very well in monetary terms.

I am not judging on this strike, but I have a strong impression that you lost reality a bit, no?

If so, what's the flaw in my reasoning? If I have something on offer, and someone is willing to compensate me better than anyone else that I can find then I'm fairly rewarded at least.

You might have something on offer that makes possible employers pay for, and I am honestly glad for you if you do. Unfortunately, for many of these guys it's something else. The can easily be replaced and are often treated so... The higher you are on the employment pyramid, the easier it gets...

[sn26567]

There are still 2,500 pieces of baggage which have not been reconciled with their owner. It will take at least two days to send them back. They are now stored in the 'lost & found' area of the airport.

[Acid-drop]

Send them, how ?
300 trucks on the road ? In 2 days ?