Ground handling company Alyzia is facing the threat of industrial action at Brussels Airport after Belgian trade union ACV Voeding en Diensten filed a strike notice, alleging anti-union practices and unsafe working conditions.
According to the union, an employee was dismissed on 9 June, the same day she had been appointed as a union representative. ACV argues that the dismissal constitutes a breach of trade union freedom and workers’ fundamental rights. The union has also lodged a complaint with Belgium’s social inspection authorities.
Beyond the dismissal, ACV claims the incident reflects broader issues within Alyzia’s Brussels Airport operations. The union alleges that employees work in an atmosphere of fear, while temporary staff are subjected to pressure.
ACV also raised concerns about working conditions, claiming there is a shortage of operational vehicles, insufficient ventilation in hangars, and that staff are sometimes required to walk across the airport apron. During last week’s heatwave, temperatures on the tarmac reportedly reached 47°C, according to the union.
The union further alleges that drinking water is not always readily available and that employees are not permitted to adapt their uniforms to the extreme heat, despite such flexibility reportedly being allowed at other companies operating at Brussels Airport.
As management has not responded to its concerns, ACV has formally submitted a strike notice. No date for possible industrial action has been announced.
Alyzia is one of the two licensed ground handling companies at Brussels Airport, alongside Aviapartner. The French ground handler provides baggage handling, ramp services, aircraft cleaning and passenger handling for several airlines, including Brussels Airlines, United Airlines, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways and ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia), among others.
At the time of publication, Alyzia had not publicly responded to the allegations. Aviation24.be has contacted the company for comment and will update this article if a response is received.