The joint trade union front representing staff at Charleroi Airport (BSCA) has lodged a strike notice for 15 days of action, CNE permanent secretary Yves Lambot announced on Wednesday, confirming a report by online media L-Post.
The dispute revolves around the €750 "purchasing power bonus" that was meant to be awarded to workers in companies that performed well in 2022.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport, in fact, recorded a profit of more than €11 million last year, unions show, compared with a loss of €9 million euros in 2021. Sales, meanwhile, exceeded €92 million euros at the end of December, compared with some €43 million a year earlier.
According to the Christian union, ACV, a few months ago the airport management had announced that this bonus would be granted to all its workers. The payment should already have been made in April, however, the airport reportedly dragged its feet and did not execute it.
The subject finally came back to the negotiating table in September and it was only then, according to the unions, that management indicated that it wanted to adapt the bonus payment to those working on part-time contracts, which are widely used by staff.
Taking these factors into account could reduce or even cancel the €750 bonus for some workers, according to Yves Lambot, permanent secretary of the CNE. Staff have therefore reacted angrily to this announcement, he explains, citing that unions felt that management had lied to employees.
An advance notice of action and strike action lasting 15 days was lodged on Tuesday by a united front of unions (SETCa, FGTB, CSC-Transcom, CNE), both workers and employees of the airport.
By the end of the week, the unions will inform and consult with their members and analyse the possibility of organising protests or a strike.
In the event of class action, disruptions could affect passenger and baggage check-in operations, but also baggage handling or refuelling aircraft.
