Three unions representing employees at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport have threatened to go on strike either in October or November if their salaries are not increased and working conditions improved. It comes just a week after pilots at Ljubljana Airport's busiest airline, Adria Airways, threatened to stage industrial action if their conditions are not met within their new collective bargaining agreements, which must be negotiated by the end of the week. The three unions at Ljubljana Airport have consolidated their ranks and are now coordinating their demands. "We are currently finalising them [demands], so we will forward this coordinated proposal for wage increases to the management next week. We are hoping for a positive response and possibly for further negotiations", unionist David Schwartz said. He added that the airport's operator, Fraport Slovenija, has so far shown little interest in meeting the demands of its employees.
Unions are requesting a 12% increase in wages, which would be adjusted annually for inflation. Furthermore, they are demanding bonuses for good business performance and an increase in extra pay for work on Sundays. "In the absence of any agreement relating to our expectations concerning wage increases or all of the listed demands, all three unions are in advanced talks to undertake further activities, including a strike that would take place in October or November", Mr Schwartz said. He added, "The German operator has shown an unacceptable attitude so far. They need to realise they are doing well in Slovenia, which is illustrated by the millions being invested in airport infrastructure. However, they also need to understand they must invest in people too".
Germany's Fraport took over control of Ljubljana Airport five years ago, when it purchased a 75.5% stake in the state-run operator for 177.1 million euros. It later bought the remaining shares for 57.3 million euros. Fraport has since opened an Aviation Academy facility at the airport and recently began construction of a new passenger terminal, which is to be completed by the summer of 2021. Furthermore, the airport handled a record number of travellers in 2018, which is expected to be eclipsed this year. The operator recently announced its plans to modernise the airport's logistics and IT infrastructure. Fraport has not publicly commented on the strike warning.
Comments
That's fine and dandy, but we have laws in Slovenia that allow workers to strike.
It's the CAA who should finally stop this mess.
It was junk company back then, so nobody would buy it and it is junk today.
Adria is unable to survive on the free market. And if they can't do that, they should make space for airlines who can.
Look at the development around the airport, Fraport academy, etc.
Simples, Intro Aviation.
Even if people earning minimum wage with unbearable conditions went on strike, comments would have been the same.
not directly correlated but a sign that the economy is not that great anymore is the fact that some 2 weeks ago the labour and social ministry anounced they are already 70 million eur in the red.
the unions are all well informed they have to push now or they are stuck in the position for some time.
Some people thing because aviation is a bit more complex than running busses or trains, that they should be paid in gold, preferably by state to whom they can dictate their own terms & conditions. What they forget is, that, at the end of the day, somebody has to pay for it. And until 5 years ago people in LJU and Adria (bust mostly the latter, as LJU was more or less always making money) thought they have jobs for life and can do whatever they want, as the taxpayers money will fill all the holes.
Newsflash, times have changed.
Frankly, I doubt you have a day of experience managing any kind of business if you think like that.
So I guess poor 4K guys were bound to fail just because Adria's employees are all lazy communists?!
Are you sure you're not one of the 4K turnaround specialists?
Instead of the strike unions are preparing we should do work-to-rule strike and follow every damn airport rule, carrier rule and safety regulation. And Fraport and media can have fun complaining about delays and cancellations.