Cointrin Airport, Geneva
Update 4 January 09:15 Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Baggage handlers at Geneva’s Cointrin Airport will continue Monday the strike they began 2 January, but fewer than 50 employees are expected to be striking and their absence is being covered by crews sent in from Zurich, according to the Tribune de Geneve. Swissport baggage handlers will continue their strike Monday, but Dnata employees who joined them 2 January agreed to go back to work Sunday, after receiving pay increases.
The airport was hectic over the weekend, and while local media said the strike appeared to have a minimal impact, travellers are reporting that the chaos included lost luggage. Vivian, moving to Geneva with her family (see comment below), says “The place was mass confusion. People were sitting on the floors. The place was packed with people. I’m pretty sure they broke fire codes with the number of people in that place. My children slept on the bare floor as we searched for the luggage.” The family had a bag stolen and some luggage, including a bag with the children’s favourite toys, is still missing.
The two companies are members of the SSP and SIP unions. They have been striking for better work and pay conditions: while Swissport employees have had a collective contract with the airport Dnata employees have not, which the two group say creates unfair competition.
Links to other sites: GVA airport, Tribune de Geneve
The threatened British Air cabin crew strike over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season appears less certain, with the airline saying Wednesday 15 December that it plans to contest the strike vote in court. BA’s argument is that some of those who voted are no longer employed by the airline. The company is meanwhile working out staffing plans should the strike go ahead.
British Air staff have voted in favour of a 12-day strike starting 22 December. Britain’s largest airline is widely expected to create chaos if the strike over the end of year holidays goes ahead. The 22,000 employees polled voted 92.5 percent in favour of the strike, to protest cost-cutting measures. The airline had a record loss in the six months that ended 30 September 2009. BA has posted information for travelers on its web site.
Ferry service between France and Great Britain continues to be disrupted by a strike by French fisherman over fishing rights. TSR, Fre and Times, UK
Update 19 March 08:25 Paris, France (GenevaLunch) – More than one million people are expected to take part in a major French strike today, reports the BBC. Many of France’s public servants but also private sector companies began striking late Wednesday, 18 March, and they are expected to stay away from work until Friday 08:00 20 March.
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Doctors in Geneva appear likely to vote in favour of a one-day strike at a meeting Wednesday evening, 18 February. Vaud doctors will take a vote next week on whether or not to join them.
Geneva, Switzerland and Paris, France (GenevaLunch) – A strike by pilots at Air France, in its fourth day, is expected to end at midnight Monday, but only 65-70% of long-haul flights are operating Monday and about 50% of medium-haul flights.
Lausanne, Switzerland (TSR, Fre) – One-third of schools in canton Vaud were affected Tuesday as civil servants took to the streets again to protest the new salary grid. The crowd, estimated by TSR at 8-10,000 people, is one of the largest in the series of protests that began in January 2008.
Vaud, Switzerland (24 Heures, Fre) – An estimated 600 teachers protested the new salary scale and system in Lausanne Thursday afternoon, high schools were closed and several groups of employees were on strike at the CHUV (cantonal hospitals) Thursday afternoon.
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – When Geneva’s police go on strike, they do it gently. Their slowdown dating to last week continues in protest against the canton’s decision not to pay them a Euro 2008 football cup bonus for overtime.
