The Unite union has criticised cargo and baggage handling firm Swissport, as well as the Island’s government, for leaving workers facing redundancy – possibly as soon as the end of this month.
Swissport has stated that it cannot continue to operate in the same way as it did before coronavirus, saying global passenger traffic was forecast to take up to four years to reach pre-Covid levels.
Job losses on the scale feared by the union would come as a blow to the Island, which has shown tentative signs of recovery in terms of the number of people unemployed.
Figures released on Friday showed the number of jobless had fallen for 11 weeks since the end of May – reducing by 610 to 1,680 over this period.
Unite regional officer Terry Keefe said: ‘The way Swissport Jersey staff are being treated by Swissport and the Government of Jersey is scandalous.
‘While Covid-19 and the collapse of Flybe has undoubtedly had a major impact on business, air travel to Jersey remains crucial to the Island’s economy and is expected to recover by early next year.’
Mr Keefe said Swissport planned to make 70 out of its 101 staff redundant as the Jersey employment support scheme draws to a close at the end of August.
Union calls for the company to work together with the government to protect jobs over the winter had yet to draw any public response, he added.
‘Unite has repeatedly requested updates on any discussions and potential support for Swissport Jersey workers but so far the silence from the company and the government has been deafening.
‘Swissport has now put forward plans to make 70% of its staff redundant, making no effort to show how it has abided by its legal duty to try to minimise job losses, which will be both devastating for staff and Jersey’s economic wellbeing.’
In a statement, a spokesperson for Swissport said the pandemic had devastated the aviation industry across the UK.
‘The unfortunate fact is that there simply aren’t enough aircraft flying for our business to continue running as it did before the outbreak and we must adapt to this unwelcome reality,’ the statement read. ‘It is within this context that Swissport is currently engaged in national consultations with union partners around a range of measures aimed at mitigating job losses.’
The spokesperson could not confirm the potential extent of any job losses, but added: ‘Swissport has sought to regularly update employees on the consultations’ progress at a national level, supported by regular local newsletters and updates from our team in Jersey.
‘In line with the consultation process, local and senior management in Swissport have been in regular contact with union partners locally and nationally.
‘We remain hopeful we will be able to reach an agreement that will help us to manage the severe, ongoing impact of Covid-19 and mitigate job losses as far as possible.’
Mr Keefe said that Unite would continue to challenge both the employer and the government in a bid to ensure a better outcome for Swissport staff.
The JEP has asked the government and Ports of Jersey for comments on the current situation.
