The union says the cargo and baggage handling firm is planning to make 70 out of its 101 staff redundant as the Jersey employment support scheme draws to a close at the end of August. Credit: PA Images
70 Swissport staff who work as baggage handlers and ground staff at Jersey Airport are set to lose their jobs.
The move has been described by the UK's largest union Unite as "scandalous".Unite has asked the Government of Jersey to liaise with Swissport to discuss further measures to maintain as many jobs as possible until the expected pick up in air travel to the island in spring 2021. While the government said that it was willing to enter talks with Swissport, concerned staff have been given no update on their futures by either party.
The union outlines that Swissport has a legal duty to try to minimise redundancies, but has so far provided no evidence of doing so. It says the job losses would be "devastating" for Jersey's economic wellbeing.
In response Swissport says business will not return to pre-pandemic levels for years to come.
The company says it is keeping staff up to date on any developments.
