airbuddie
22nd Oct 2001, 19:22
Hundreds of airport jobs on the line
A UNION is claiming that hundreds of jobs are to be lost at Manchester Airport.
The Transport and General Workers' Union says a leaked consultants' report proposes sacking hundreds of workers, selling off assets and even cutting back security and fire services by a third.
T&G regional general secretary Dave McCall said: ''This is nothing short of a scandal.''
But Ringway bosses insist that the report seen by the union is nothing more than a contingency plan as business continues to drop off after the American terrorist attacks.
The document seen by union officials proposes the selling off of Ringway Handling - the separate baggage and aircraft handling company set up by the airport - as well as the transport company which serves it.
Mr McCall said: ''The airport has been fortunate in that passenger numbers have not fallen since September 11. Moreover, their most recent profits show a sharp increase. Nevertheless, they insist that cost savings are necessary to offset potential financial fallout from the aviation crisis.''
He said that union members had just voted to forego their annual 2.5 per cent pay rise because of fallout from September 11 and wanted Greater Manchester's 10 district councils to take a similar cut in their dividends.
Mr McCall said: ''However, before we have been able to progress this unprecedented offer, we have been handed this consultants' report.''
Around 2,000 people work at the airport, which handles 19m passengers a year.
An airport statement said: ''We are continually reviewing the business strategy about growing the business and being in the best possible position to improve our competitive advantage. We are also having to review our position following the tragic events in America on September 11 and, like everyone else in the aviation industry, we are having to put contingencies in place.
''It would be wrong to go into any detail about what these proposals might or might not be and whatever will or will not be required.
''We have proper procedures in place for consulting and negotiating with staff if f any proposals are taken forward. The emphasis of our review is about growth and development.
''But we reiterate that when it comes to matters of security, our priority is to have the highest quality and level of service at Manchester.''
Although passenger numbers have not fallen compared to last year, they have grown only by 0.7 per cent in October so far, compared with more than six per cent up until September 11.
''There are definitely no plans to cut staff,'' said a spokesman. ''But we have to keep a contingency - though it does not mean there will be any scrimping.''
A UNION is claiming that hundreds of jobs are to be lost at Manchester Airport.
The Transport and General Workers' Union says a leaked consultants' report proposes sacking hundreds of workers, selling off assets and even cutting back security and fire services by a third.
T&G regional general secretary Dave McCall said: ''This is nothing short of a scandal.''
But Ringway bosses insist that the report seen by the union is nothing more than a contingency plan as business continues to drop off after the American terrorist attacks.
The document seen by union officials proposes the selling off of Ringway Handling - the separate baggage and aircraft handling company set up by the airport - as well as the transport company which serves it.
Mr McCall said: ''The airport has been fortunate in that passenger numbers have not fallen since September 11. Moreover, their most recent profits show a sharp increase. Nevertheless, they insist that cost savings are necessary to offset potential financial fallout from the aviation crisis.''
He said that union members had just voted to forego their annual 2.5 per cent pay rise because of fallout from September 11 and wanted Greater Manchester's 10 district councils to take a similar cut in their dividends.
Mr McCall said: ''However, before we have been able to progress this unprecedented offer, we have been handed this consultants' report.''
Around 2,000 people work at the airport, which handles 19m passengers a year.
An airport statement said: ''We are continually reviewing the business strategy about growing the business and being in the best possible position to improve our competitive advantage. We are also having to review our position following the tragic events in America on September 11 and, like everyone else in the aviation industry, we are having to put contingencies in place.
''It would be wrong to go into any detail about what these proposals might or might not be and whatever will or will not be required.
''We have proper procedures in place for consulting and negotiating with staff if f any proposals are taken forward. The emphasis of our review is about growth and development.
''But we reiterate that when it comes to matters of security, our priority is to have the highest quality and level of service at Manchester.''
Although passenger numbers have not fallen compared to last year, they have grown only by 0.7 per cent in October so far, compared with more than six per cent up until September 11.
''There are definitely no plans to cut staff,'' said a spokesman. ''But we have to keep a contingency - though it does not mean there will be any scrimping.''