John Lennon Airport baggage handlers handed termination notices by Runcorn firm Servisair in strike dispute

Feb 16 2012 by Daniel Mckenzie, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

A BITTER dispute between Runcorn-based baggage handling firm Servisair and its employees is heading for the courts, union bosses claim.

Servisair, based on Manor Park Industrial Estate, is pressing ahead with plans to axe between 28-35 jobs at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The GMB union was forced to end its industrial action earlier this month as they reach the end of the legally-enforced 12-week period.

The trade union said Servisair had ignored attempts to find a resolution to the two-month dispute. GMB will now head to the courts to obtain a ‘protective award’ as the row deepens.

If a tribunal rules in the GMB’s favour, Servisair would have to stump up between 30-90 days’ pay for each of the 13 employees potentially left at the risk of redundancy.

And as relations sink to what the GMB describe as ‘an all-time low’, any future employment dispute would automatically lead to a full 12-week walk out.

The union has carried out discontinuous action since November, picketing for two hours in the mornings and afternoons, four days a week.

Termination letters have been handed out while some staff at Speke are set to begin contracts downgraded from 42 hours to part-time 32-hour contracts.

Some Servisair employees have chosen to take voluntary redundancy following anger over ‘partial performance’.

The dispute occurred as management stopped any payment to a striker if they walked out for two hours on a shift.

Servisair argued that the cost of hiring cover workers, and financing their meals and accommodation made allowing picketing employees back on shift unviable. Unlawful deduction grievances have been registered by the GMB, but both parties insist their own legal position on this issue remains strong.

Regional organiser Eddie Parker said: “As management won’t recognise the need for proper consultation, we will remain out for the full 12 weeks in future disputes.

“We have asked to be provided with financial information from Servisair to back up the redundancies which has been ignored. If shared, that would remain confidential.

“The fact remains, Servisair made a big profit last year and Liverpool is one of the more efficient sites.

“It has been pleasing that members have stood shoulder to shoulder with those made redundant.

“It shows the principles of the trade union movement are alive and kicking.”

Servisair declined to comment when contacted by the Weekly News.