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Ground handling – transfer of staff

Statement

The ETF Ground Staff Committee, one of our three aviation commitees, believes that employment instability is at the heart of the problems facing workers in the ground handling sector. An effective EU Transfer of Staff Regulation would create guarantees and protections for workers’ employment and conditions when they are moved to a new employer. This would be a safeguard for both workers and business. It would protect workers from a sudden loss of jobs or social benefits, while offering existing businesses a level playing field when new competitors enter the market.

National aviation authorities should also support our demands, because an experienced and skilled workforce is closely linked to safety.

As far back as 2010 we published guidelines setting out our proposals for a decent Transfer of Staff regulation. These guidelines still form the basis of the employment stability aspect of our campaign for fair regulation of the European ground handling sector.

 

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