Workers at Manchester Airport secure trade union representation

Former workers from Premiere Handling, which collapsed last year, have secured a trade union recognition deal with their new employer, Stobart Aviation Services, with the help of Unite the Union.

In July 2019, Premiere Handling collapsed with the loss of dozens of jobs at Manchester Airport.

A number of Unite members subsequently gained employment at Stobart Aviation after it secured a contract to provide ground handling services to airlines including SAS, Norwegian Airlines and Pakistan International Airlines.

Unite met with Stobart Aviation earlier this year and it was agreed that the union would represent all employees, including supervisors.

The union will now be electing representatives who will be able to negotiate with the company over important issues such as pay, hours, holidays and health and safety.

The deal forms part of Unite’s Work, Voice, Pay strategy, which is based on three core values – Secure Work: fighting for jobs and job security; Strong Voice: a union which is a respected voice at work; and Decent Pay: a union focused on pay and conditions.

Unite regional officer Mike Gaskell said: “This deal is good news for workers at Manchester Airport.

“Many workers who lost their jobs have found alternative employment at the airport, plus they now have Britain and Ireland’s biggest union backing them in the workplace.

“The union will now begin electing union reps and discussing important issues including the next pay negotiations.

“In the meantime it’s good to know that the workforce have secure jobs and a strong collective voice.”

Premiere was set up in 2008 and employed around 70 staff when it ceased trading last July.