Risk of industrial action by baggage handlers and check in staff at Dublin Airport this summer, union warns

Siptu said there is a risk of industrial action by baggage handlers and check in staff if Sky Handling Partner does not “engage positively” with the union at the Workplace Relations Commission next week.

It said the company has agreed to attend a meeting on Friday, after it referred a dispute to the commission.

The union wants to negotiate a collective agreement for staff at the company that includes higher pay and better terms and conditions.

Sky Handling Partner is a subsidiary of Group CRIT and workers provide services to airlines at Dublin Airport.

They include Qatar, Etihad, Delta, Tap Airlines, SAS, Air Canada, Air France, KLM, West Jet, Air Transat and Air Baltic.

Jerry Brennan, Siptu industrial organiser in the aviation sector, claimed staff are paid less than workers doing the same job at other ground handling companies.

“We’re just looking to achieve the same things for our members in Sky Handling Partner,” he said.

“If the company arrive at the WRC and their intent is not to engage positively, we’ll be left with no option. There is a risk of strike action if we don’t get positive engagement, which is our absolute hope.

“At all times, we look to avoid industrial unrest but if they arrive and their intent is not to engage positively the next option after that is to discuss industrial action with our members and take whatever steps are needed to achieve the same conditions as exist for other workers in Dublin Airport.”

He claimed the company had refused to recognise the union for over 20 years before agreeing to attend next week’s meeting.

“The employees have been mixing and mingling with all the other employees on the ramp,” he said. “They know what they’re being paid and it’s significantly less for doing the exact same function.” He claimed pay rates are around €2 an hour less and staff do not get night shift allowances, Sunday premium pay, or sick pay.

He said the union represents around half of the staff at Sky Handling, which is the second largest ground handling operation at the airport.

A recent Siptu survey found that 98pc of staff want the union to negotiate their pay and conditions of employment with management.

The union said their concerns included “low pay, lack of respect, stress, poor work/life balance” and issues with contracts of employment.

The Irish Independent has asked Sky Handling Partner for a comment.