19 dic 2008
Support striking passenger security workers and guards in Budapest airport

The ITF calls for support for striking passenger security workers and guards in Budapest airport.
 
The ITF is calling on civil aviation unions worldwide to show lawful support for striking workers in Ferihegy airport and to condemn the use of untrained, unqualified strike breakers by Budapest Airport (BA) management.

Since the sudden and unexpected termination of the collective agreement covering workers represented by ITF affiliate  Joint Aviation Trade Union (LESZ) in October 2008, BA management has refused to discuss and negotiate working conditions in good faith thereafter.

These workers are facing a down grading of their terms and conditions and job losses following management attempts to restructure sections of the company and re-organise rosters. Not only has BA attempted to replace strikers with untrained workers but it has also subjected striking workers to regular manipulation and threats.

ACT NOW send a letter of protest to the government and Budapest Airport management here

Actúe: Envíe una carta de protesta

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We are also asking everyone who can to also send protest letters by fax to the following contacts:

Jost Lammers
Chief Executive Officer
Budapest Airport Zrt.
Hungary
Via Fax: +361 297 53 04

Ferenc Gyurcsány
Prime Minister
Government of Hungary
Hungary
Via fax: +361 441 4702

Csaba Molnár
Transport Minister
Government of Hungary
Hungary
Via Fax: +361 3022394/+361 4718182

ITF sample letter:

Jost Lammers
Chief Executive Officer
Budapest Airport Zrt.
Via email: lammers.jost@bud.hu

18 December 2008

Dear Jost Lammers,

On behalf of the (YOUR UNION), I am writing to you with great concern about the current situation in Ferihegy Airport that is potentially compromising the safety of passengers and workers.

We have been informed by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) that airport workers represented by ITF affiliate, Joint Aviation Trade Union (LESZ), have been on strike for nearly nine days.  These workers, we are also informed, have been subjected to regular manipulation and threats to convince them to stop the strike and go back to work.  Alarmingly, we also understand that Budapest Airport Management (BA) has attempted to replace the striking workers, who are mainly passenger security and guards, with unqualified and untrained workers. We understand that approximately a further 100 people will start work imminently to replace more striking workers. I am sure you are aware that strike breaking is illegal under Hungarian employment law and any attempt to break the strike could demonstrate that BA takes the security and safety procedures of passengers and workers lightly.

As you know, this dispute is a result of BA's sudden, unexpected and illegal termination of a collective agreement on 11 October 2008 and the company’s unwillingness and refusal to discuss and negotiate working conditions in good faith thereafter.

(YOUR UNION) strongly urges BA to return to the bargaining table in order to reach a peaceful, fair resolution and to avoid a potential disaster caused by any unsafe practices resulting from the dispute.

Civil aviation unions worldwide will be keeping abreast of developments and will be ready to engage in any lawful international solidarity action should LESZ need this.

I look forward to receiving your comments.
 
Yours sincerely