Ground service staff working for Thai Airways International (THAI) plan to go on strike on April 13 to press for higher pay.
Samart Pantang, union president of WingSpan Services Co, a subsidiary of THAI, said yesterday the union would convene a meeting of its members on April 12 and probably strike the following day because past negotiations failed to convince management to pay monthly salaries instead of daily wages to about 3,000 employees and to offer a 3-5% pay rise.
Mr Samart said WingSpan Services employs more than 4,000 workers and only about 1,000 receive monthly salaries. Workers have not received a pay raise for three years.
Mr Samart said the strike would happen at all airports in Thailand and workers have the right to strike under labour law.
If the strike happens, catering and ground services would be affected, said a THAI executive source. Those services include luggage loading and runway services.
WingSpan Services outsources ground service staff for THAI and its work includes catering.
Acting THAI president Chokchai Panyayong said yesterday WingSpan Services workers should not hold THAI hostage. If they cause problems, the airline might use the outsourcing services of another firm, he said.
Mr Chokchai said THAI is considering changing its pay structure for staff.
However, THAI uses outsourced workers to cut management and welfare costs, so it was impossible for outsourced staff to share the same benefits as THAI employees.
Meanwhile, Airports of Thailand Plc will improve passenger service areas at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports.
Makin Petplai, president of Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), said AOT would turn some shops into passenger service areas at Suvarnabhumi airport. The change will cover the shops, the lease contracts of which will expire in July.
AOT will launch commercial enterprises in parts of Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports, Mr Makin said.