Trade unions CNV and FNV have called on Schiphol Airport to improve working conditions for security staff. The unions want to begin talks with the airport within a week.
Earlier this year, Schiphol reduced the number of security companies operating at the airport from five to three. The airport said the change would give it greater control over service delivery. However, the unions argue that working conditions for security staff have worsened.
“It is far too hot, there are far too few people, the schedules are incorrect, going to the toilet is barely possible, and there are too few women on the lanes. Security guards describe an unworkable situation that has been going on for months,” said CNV negotiator Erik Honkoop.
The unions have presented eight demands to Schiphol and the three security companies. These include a heat protocol and a minimum number of women at each security lane. Honkoop said meaningful improvements are needed urgently.
“Real, noticeable improvements must come now. That is in the interest of the security guards, but ultimately also of the security companies and Schiphol itself,” he said. According to Honkoop, the summer period places additional pressure on security staff.
Dissatisfaction
Honkoop said growing dissatisfaction among security guards has led to calls for industrial action.
“We are hearing increasingly loudly that security guards would prefer to stop work today. We have been able to prevent that so far, but the patience of the security guards and both unions has run completely out,” he said.
He added that it is still unclear what any strike action would look like. During previous disputes, security staff stopped work for two hours spread throughout the day.
Honkoop said Schiphol’s decision to reduce the number of security firms would “undoubtedly work out well” in the long term. However, he said the benefits are not yet being felt.
Delay
Schiphol said it plans to resume talks with the unions soon about the issues they have raised.
“Security guards are indispensable to Schiphol, and we take the concerns regarding workload, schedules, leave, and breaks seriously,” an airport spokesperson said. “At the same time, we realise that the changes do not always lead to the work experience we envisioned with the new contracts.”
The airport warned that strike action could lead to delays during one of its busiest periods of the year.
“The summer holidays are one of the busiest periods of the year at Schiphol, and many travellers look forward to a nice holiday. We hope that unions will take this into account,” the spokesperson said.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
