While Brussels Airlines is posting record results , nothing is going well on the social front. The problems addressed by unions mainly concerned work pressure and a lack of rest periods.
Two strikes have already been avoided within the airline in December 23, the management of Brussels Airlines having each time put a proposal on the table. Apparently, they said "enough" , and we see 24-hour strike by maintenance technicians at Brussels Airlines: two long-haul flights are "two to three hours" late.
The airline's technicians showed their displeasure on Tuesday night by going on strike. The first impacts are being felt with significant delays on the day's flights to Kinshasa and Dakar.The afternoon shift could also walk out.
According to Olivier Van Camp, permanent secretary of the socialist union, discontent is brewing among the staff. In addition to cabin crew and pilots, Brussels Airlines technicians are also unhappy with their working conditions.
"The operational consequences are limited to a few delays in our long-haul flights," explains Joëlle Neeb, spokesperson for Brussels Airlines.
Not all the technicians are taking part in the action and we will have to see what echo this strike will have within the afternoon shift.
A conciliation procedure for technicians has been underway for some time now. Brussels Airlines' pilots and cabin crew have also been in conflict with their management for several weeks.
"We are aware of the areas for improvement that our technician colleagues need to improve (Maintenance and Engineering)," the company said, adding that it is continuing to discuss with colleagues and unions to find solutions.
Brussels Airlines regrets that the workers have taken action. "We started a formal conciliation process on 2 January, committing to return to the conciliation board with an overview of progress by 16 February at the latest."
The carrier invites the unions to come back to the table in order to find, together, "balanced solutions, in the short and long term, that will give our company and our employees prospects and opportunities for growth, while controlling our costs in a very competitive market".
Display Picture : Ivan Coninx
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