Swissport Fuelers in San Jose Overwhelmingly Vote IAM (goiam.org)

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced that Swissport aircraft fuelers based in San Jose, Calif., voted overwhelmingly to join the Machinists Union. The vote took place yesterday [11 March 2024] at San Jose Mineta International Airport. “I proudly welcome these brave workers into the IAM family and to the Air […]


April 12, 2024

ETF support striking Swissport workers in Chile

The ITF Civil Aviation Section has been joined by the ETF Civil Aviation Section representing more than 80 unions with aviation workers in 41 countries in Europe, supporting the baggage handlers at the Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago, Chile in their collective action against Swissport in order to achieve a pay rise. The […]


June 24, 2019

Airport Strike Over at Toronto Pearson (teamsters.ca)

The 80-day strike at Pearson Airport by members of Teamsters Local Union 419 is officially over. Swissport workers today [15 October 2017] voted 63% in favour of ratifying a new tentative agreement. The new 3-year agreement contains minor improvements on wages, benefits and scheduling. “I would like to thank our members, mediators and the bargaining committee […]


October 24, 2017

Battle heats up between Swissport and striking workers at Pearson airport (mississauga.com)

Striking airport workers and fellow union supporters rallied at Toronto Pearson International Airport protesting Swissport’s treatment of its workers. “What we have here is a battle of the one percenters against the working folk,” said Brian Lawrence, president of Teamsters Local 419 at the Sept. 3 protest. Hundreds of people marched from Terminal 3 to […]


September 6, 2017

Pearson ground crew strike continues after union votes 98% against Swissport contract offer (CBC News)

The union representing some 700 baggage handlers, cabin cleaners and other ground crew has voted overwhelmingly against a contract offer by Swissport, meaning workers won’t be ending their work stoppage, which has gone on four weeks already. Teamsters Local 419 says 98 per cent of its members voted to reject the deal. “Swissport’s new offer […]


August 24, 2017

Pearson airport ground crew workers on strike (thestar.com)

28 July 2017 Operations at Pearson airport appeared to be running smoothly Friday despite a strike by about 700 ground crew workers. The workers employed by Swissport handle baggage and cargo, tow planes, clean cabins and perform flight operations tasks for more than 30 airlines, including British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, Sunwing and Air […]


August 1, 2017

Ground staff are at the centre of global changes

The Civil Aviation Section held important meetings under the auspices of the Ground Staff Committee on 8-9 November 2016: Lufthansa Technik Union Network Meeting, MRO Working Group Meeting and Swissport Working Group Meeting. Establishing union networks and creating ad hoc working groups is vital at a time when working environments are changing dramatically for thousands […]


November 18, 2016

Swissport unions in Africa resolve to strengthen union network

Union representatives from the African civil aviation affiliates of the ITF discussed the common issues they face at Swissport, a major multinational ground handling company, headquartered in Switzerland. The company is a major player in the sector. It employs more than 61,000 worldwide and operates in 48 countries. The global ground handling sector is highly […]


October 12, 2016