Swissport Back of House Roster

Dated May 2017

Back of House Roster

We will shortly be commencing a consultative ballot in relation to the proposed new roster and having instigated negotiations with Swissport on your behalf please see below an explanation of the proposed roster for your consideration.

Should you not receive a ballot paper please contact your workplace organiser, Wayne Oswick (Back of House).

GMB have instigated negotiations with Swissport after feedback from our members that they wanted better shift patterns. Obviously the company has to have workable shift patterns that fit with their business model and therefore no shifts will ever be ideal, however we believe that the proposed patterns represent a better option than the shifts that you currently do.

We do however have some concerns over the company’s desire to change the holiday calculator and if we cannot resolve this we will then give you more details and may need to ballot you on this issue in the future, however do not let this influence how you choose to vote for the shifts as this is a separate issue which we will deal with accordingly.

The proposed roster will create new positions for present staff on 30 hour contracts and long-standing members of staff who have been on agency contracts over 1-2 years. This will enhance the chances to get your holiday requests accepted, because there will be more holiday available due to staff increase.  The proposed roster rotates over a 15 week period, 3.25 times a year resulting in 10 extra rostered days off per year.

The present roster consists of a late to early rotation, with around 80% of staff expressing their concerns on how tired they feel with the quick turnaround of shift times. The proposed roster starts on a 0530 shift and has a 24 hour break or more in the middle of the pattern before returning to work on a late shift, the last day will always finish at 2100.

There are 6 early Fridays to a late Saturday and 6 early Saturdays to a late Sunday built into the proposed roster per year. This provides 12 opportunities to arrange a weekend night out without taking holidays.

Present roster consists of 14 short earlies in a year whereas the proposed roster has a short early every other week built in the pattern and 3 weeks in a 15 week period when you only work 4 days a week.

The proposed roster does however include some 9.25 and 9.5 hour shifts which includes a ½ hour break and a 5 days shift pattern before a RDO, (1 extra day = 1 extra day off). With finishing times of 00.30 and 14.45 every other week.

Yourr sincerely

Gary Pearce

Regional Organiser