New strike at Aviapartner at Brussels Airport: dialogue has broken down
A new strike action is currently disrupting operations at Brussels National Airport (Zaventem). Employees of the company Aviapartner, which specializes in baggage handling, have decided to go on strike. This decision follows the failure of mediation between management and union representatives.
Staff anger is not a new development. For several months, unions have been denouncing a shortage of staff and increasingly difficult working conditions. Despite several conciliation meetings, the discussions failed to reach a satisfactory agreement for the workers, leading to the resumption of the labor dispute.
The consequences for travelers are immediate and significant. Many flights are experiencing delays, and some aircraft even have to depart without passengers' luggage. Uncertainty prevails in the terminals, and long queues are forming at information desks. The airport advises passengers to travel with hand luggage only, if possible.
Aviapartner management says it is disappointed by this industrial action. It claims to have made concrete proposals to improve work organization. However, the unions believe these measures are insufficient given the current workload, which is particularly intense during peak periods.
For the time being, no end date for the strike has been announced. Negotiations could resume soon, but the climate remains very tense between the two parties. Airport authorities are advising travelers to regularly check the airport's website or contact their airline for the latest information on their flight.