Spanish unions UGT and CCOO have filed a request with the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration to assess whether airport ground staff should be allowed to retire earlier without a pension penalty. The application, registered last Friday without the support of employers’ association Aseata, concerns around 14,000 workers involved in baggage and cargo handling, operating ground vehicles and equipment, and supporting airport operations.
The unions are seeking reduced retirement-age coefficients, a mechanism under which contributions count towards a longer qualifying period and workers can retire earlier without a reduction in their pension. The request does not cover approximately 10,000 other sector employees, including those in administration and customer service.
UGT and CCOO say handling work involves heavy physical demands, including manual lifting, repetitive movements and awkward postures in confined spaces. They also cite exposure to noise, vibration, extreme temperatures and emissions from diesel and kerosene engines. According to the unions, these conditions are associated with musculoskeletal problems and other health risks, while irregular shifts and night work can affect workers’ mental health and sleep.
The unions argue that temporary disability and workplace accident rates among handling staff exceed the average for the workforce, and that preventive measures cannot fully remove the job’s physical and other risks. The filing begins a process that could lead to reduced retirement-age coefficients if the government’s assessment finds the relevant sickness and accident rates justify them.
The request comes as union patience runs short over separate applications for road freight and passenger transport workers. Those cases are further advanced, but the unions say the Social Security Ministry has yet to respond, despite the applications having been registered about a year ago. CCOO has warned it could call an indefinite strike if the procedures remain stalled or are rejected, and has announced demonstrations outside the ministry’s Social Security planning directorate from November 11 to 29.
The unions say they tried but failed to reach an agreement with Aseata on the airport handling application. Employers have opposed similar requests in other sectors, citing, among other concerns, the cost of higher contributions needed to offset earlier retirement. The ministry prefers applications to have the backing of both unions and employers, as is the case with the road transport requests.
Sources: El País Economía.