Property damage and business interruption

12.8, strike

Belgium: a baggage handlers’ strike caused chaos at Brussels international airport for the second day, after management and unions failed to reach a deal over working conditions. The Aviapartner and Flightcare staff, who handle baggage and bus passengers to and from the terminal to their flights, launched their surprise action two days previously. Most flights in and out of the airport were cancelled, delayed or transferred to other airports in Belgium and beyond. The baggage handlers were protesting against work pressure. They said tasks that used to be carried out by five people now had to be done by only three. The management of baggage handling company Aviapartner offered a second proposal on improvement of working conditions to the workers and it again was rejected by the trade unions. However, the unions agreed to hold a referendum among the workers on the proposal. Brussels airport handles 17.8 million passengers and 780,000 tonnes of freight each year.