Negotiations are continuing with the aim of breaking a ramp handling strike which has caused widespread cancellations at Brussels Airport.
Aviapartner's ramp handling and transport staff, represented by the ACV and BBTK unions, began the surprise walkout at 19:30 on 10 August. The unions are protesting over their working conditions, calling for staffing and planning improvements.
Flights have been severely disrupted by the action and the airport's website shows that a number of flights have been cancelled today.
Last night Brussels Airport operator BIAC, which is independent of Aviapartner, said the negotiations were "proceeding with difficulty".
It adds: "New negotiations have started but at this moment differences are still too deep to be bridged quickly. The striking workers at Flightcare, the airport's other handling company, have decided to carry on their solidarity actions as long as negotiations at Aviapartner continue."
An Aviapartner spokeswoman declined to comment on impact of the action as cancellations, delays and diversions have varied from carrier to carrier.
She says: "For the moment the situation is still going on. We have just started a meeting with the unions in which the management is further-discussing a proposal which was put on the table early yesterday evening.
"We hope that, based on this pre-proposal, we will come to an agreement with the unions this morning and that it will go to a union vote around lunchtime. The management was very disappointed that they started the strike, despite a peace agreement."
Aviapartner handles over 30 airlines at Brussels, including BMI, British Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, Continental Airlines and Thomas Cook. The handler's check-in, baggage sorting, load control and freight warehouse activity is unaffected by the action.
Source: Flight International
