15 Sep 2006 - 15 Mar 2007
ETF Ground Handling Campaign

Airports, airlines and independent handlers are responsible for ground handling in Europe. Some airports that used to run their own services have already contracted out these key functions to third parties.

Because workers employed by contractors/via tendering processes are not protected by the usual rules, the jobs of experienced ground handling workers are threatened. The ETF has developed policy on the transfer of staff in ground handling, to address this issue.

Now, if new European proposals are adopted, more airports will be forced to use third party ground handlers – including companies that reject collective agreements. Airlines will have to contract out their own workers if they want to supply services to others.

European trade unions are not just concerned that such fragmentation will threaten the livelihoods of workers - they believe these changes will endanger airline safety and security.