Unions representing Swissport ground staff at Zurich Airport have warned that they may take industrial action, including a strike, from January 2027 if talks on a new collective labour agreement do not produce a deal. SEV-GATA, VPOD Luftverkehr and the Swiss Commercial Association say negotiations have failed; Swissport disputes that assessment and says discussions remain on schedule. The current agreement expires at the end of 2026.
The dispute centres on pay and working conditions. The unions are seeking significant wage increases, arguing that employees made painful concessions after the Covid-19 pandemic. They say about three quarters of staff were offered a 2.8% rise over four years. Swissport describes its proposal as a package worth around 4% over the agreement’s term, with a general 2.8% increase for all employees and targeted adjustments of up to 6% for some roles. The two sides therefore present the offer differently; no agreement has been reached.
Swissport says the eight rounds of talks have been constructive and remain within the timetable agreed by both sides. It remains willing to negotiate. The unions have also left open the possibility of resuming talks if the company makes an offer they consider fair. If the agreement expires without a replacement, the contractual peace obligation ends, allowing industrial action. A strike is possible, but has not been confirmed.