Christmas flights from Leeds-Bradford airport no longer under threat as Swissport workers threatened to strike over de-icing pay

Swissport said it would not be making additional "de-icing" payments to their workers at Leeds Bradford Airport in the UK. Swissport workers at other airports receive this. They have since changed their mind.

Nearly 50 members of UK trade union, Unite, working at Leeds-Bradford airport were planning to strike over the next two months potentially leading to the grounding of planes. 

Ramp agents who are employed by Swissport were planning on taking 16 days of industrial action from 19 December to 4 January 2025 after their employer has declined to make additional “de-icing” payments that Swissport workers in other airports receive. The workers are predominantly employed on Ryanair flights at the airport.

The workers, whose starting pay is £11.75 per hour, do vital tasks at the airport including moving airplanes around the terminals safely, baggage handling and operating specialised vehicles. When the weather is particularly cold, they undertake additional “de-icing” duties at all times of day and night (beginning at 03:30) to ensure aircraft are safe to use. This has traditionally carried an additional £125 per month payment.

Swissport declined to make such payments to workers at Leeds-Bradford when it is offered to employees at other airports.

Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Swissport is making millions off the backs of our members who work at all times of day and night, in all weathers, doing a tough and vital job ensuring planes are safe to use. That they are being denied this additional payment beggars belief. Unite won’t stand for our members being hard done by in this way.” 

Swissport recently made pre-tax profits of £10.5 million in the UK. 

Unite Regional Officer, Chris Muscroft, said: “Our members literally sign paperwork that makes them accountable for all the lives on board a plane. Our de-icing trained members are out from very early in the morning and are expected to cover any delays beyond finish times. 

“The strike will cause enormous disruption to flights at the airport. But this dispute is entirely a result of Swissport’s Scrooge like behaviour. This additional payment, a drop in the ocean for Swissport.”

UPDATE as of December 13 2024

Strikes off at Leeds-Bradford airport as Unite secures payment for ramp agents

Workers at Swissport to receive de-icing payment following threat of strike action.

Ramp agents working for Swissport at Leeds-Bradford airport have won their fight for additional de-icing payments and have called off proposed industrial action that could have brought the airport to a standstill this Christmas.

Workers at the airport, already responsible for baggage handling, moving planes around the tarmac and driving specialised vehicles had been due to take industrial action from 19 December until 4 January after they were denied a bonus payment for additional de-icing duties in cold weather. 

Unite General Sectary, Sharon Graham said: “I’m delighted our members have won the payment they were fighting for. This shows that Unite continues to be the winning union and the power of the union movement when workers band together.” 

Unite regional officer Chris Muscroft added: “Following positive negotiations with the company an agreement has been reached and industrial action has been cancelled. A payment has been agreed in recognition of the work undertaken and an agreement reached for closer working going forward to avoid a similar situation again.”