The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
London; Outer London; Outer London - West and North West
Location of affected unit(s)
Heathrow
Sector
Transportation / Storage Warehousing And Support Activities For Transportation, Postal And Courier Activities Warehousing And Support Activities For Transportation 52.2 - Support activities for transportation
900 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
16 November 2004
Employment effect (start)
16 November 2004
Foreseen end date
16 November 2004
Description
Baggage handling company Swissport UK today abruptly announced the closure of operations at Heathrow airport, with the loss of 900 jobs. Baggage handlers, check-in staff and other employees who arrived for work this morning were told by security staff that they were being laid off, instructed to hand in their official passes and go home immediately. Swissport UK employs 1,262 people. One baggage handler said: ‘To lose your job is bad enough. To lose it six weeks before Christmas just after we thought our jobs were safe is a real kick in the teeth. But the worst thing for me was being told by a security guard that I had lost my job.'
Sources
16 November 2004: The Financial Times
16 November 2004: The Guardian
Citation
Eurofound (2004), Swissport UK, Closure in United Kingdom, factsheet number 60751, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/60751.
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