Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
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.
The Italian company Sea Handling is to cease operations which will result in the loss of 2,214 jobs. Sea Handling is part of the Sea Group, which has created a new company called Airport Handling, to replace Sea Handling. The company supplies baggage handling services in the Airports of Milan (Linate and Malpensa).
The sources report that the replacement of the company is part of the measures undertaken by the public controlled Sea Group after the European Commission decision no. C (2012)/9448 of 19 December 2012, that classified subsequent capital injections to Sea Handling as state aid.
The company has started the collective dismissal procedure and is consulting with trade unions. According to the sources, 1,700 workers will be redeployed to Airport Handling by 1 July 2014. A further 300 workers will be supported by wage guarantee funds until the end of the year, when they will be redeployed within Sea Group. The remaining 300 workers will be offered voluntary dismissals or early retirement.
Updated, 16/07/2014: Following an intensive period of bargaining and the rejection of an initial agreement, the dispute with the company was ended: 1,700- 1,800 people will be redeployed by Airport Handling (1,579 FTEs), 250 employees will be redeployed within the Sea Group and there will be up to 300 voluntary dismissals. In adition the sources refer that a reduction of managers’ wage and bonuses has enabled to mitigate the clauses impacting on wages and working conditions.
Eurofound (2014), Sea Handling, Closure in Italy, factsheet number 76932, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/76932.