Various layoffs in Gardermoen concern – NRK Norway – Summary of news from different parts of the country

– My last shift is October 25. From then on, I have no job, says Charlotte Rutger (21).

For the last year and a half, he has worked as a lounge for the Menzies company at the Oslo airport.

The company handles, among other things, luggage and parked aircraft for Norwegian.

– In a way I was prepared for that, but it’s never fun to get a message that you’re getting fired. It’s just horrible.

According to the 21-year-old, it will be difficult in the future to pay rent, food and other necessities.

– I’m in a tough crisis without work. It’s very difficult, says Rutger.

ISS cuts staff in half

So far, Menzies has laid off 100 people.

– There is a great risk that more people could be laid off. But how many there are and how they are selected, I cannot answer, union delegate Nikos Paraskevas tells NRK.

The reason companies associated with airports now feel compelled to lay off staff is that passenger traffic will likely not return to normal levels for several years due to the crown.

Shows the forecasts of the European aviation organizations.

Last week, Oslo Airport had a 77 percent decrease in passenger numbers, compared to the same week last year, according to Avinor.

On Monday, it also became clear that ISS must reduce its employees at Gardermoen from 198 to 97 man-years. Some of them have even resigned.

The company is engaged in cleaning, trolley service, transportation, and property loss, noting that passenger traffic has dropped dramatically.

– In the first instance, we choose to say goodbye. After a close dialogue with our client, his forecasts show that the decrease in travelers will be lasting. Based on this, we have unfortunately had to downsize, writes Ronny Pettersen, ISS Executive Vice President of Communications.

Nav opened its own workplace at Oslo airport

Normally 15,000 people work at the Oslo airport. Now it’s almost completely quiet at Norway’s largest airport.

The municipalities around Gardermoen are the hardest hit by layoffs and layoffs. Overnight, the municipality of Ullensaker became one of the country’s most unemployed municipalities

– It is clear that we are concerned, says the head of Nav Ullensaker, Gry Hosøy.

Today 8.2 percent are unemployed in Ullensaker. 15 percent seek employment. In many of the township families, both parents have worked at Gardermoen.

– It’s a pretty serious situation. We believe that unemployment may remain high for a long time, as the situation is the same at the airport.

Therefore, on Monday, Nav opened a separate job center at Oslo airport to provide advice and guidance to laid off workers who must apply for a job.

– We have a large proportion of unskilled labor. It can be difficult for a large group to get a job, says Hosøy.

She fears more layoffs will lose their jobs and says it is therefore important for layoffs to spend their time improving their skills.

Waiting for the vaccine

Avarn Security has around 400 layoffs. Of these, around 340 work in aviation security. 280 of these are associated with Gardermoen.

They write to NRK that it is too early to say anything about the layoffs, but that if the decline in air traffic continues, “they will have no choice but to resort to further layoffs and adjustments.”

At Sas Ground Handling, 689 have either left or resigned.

– They will probably use layoff regimes until spring, before it’s relevant to withdraw more, if necessary, says Pål Gisle Andersen, shop steward at Sas Ground Handling for NRK.

Travel Retails operates duty-free shops at Oslo Airport, among other locations. They have 79 of the 1,250 employees at work. The rest are fired. However, they still have no plans to fire anyone.

– We think it’s still too early. If there is a vaccine, we believe we will come back and keep our people, says communications director Håkon Dagestad at Travel Retail Norway.

You want an emergency pack

It is the LO Union that organizes the largest group of workers who are now losing their jobs.

The union wants a crisis package for the thousands of employees affected by the plane crash.

– I feel deep regret for all those who are now losing their livelihood, says Peggy Hessen Følsvik, deputy director of LO.

– Many of those who lose their jobs have few formal skills, but have skills that are very valuable to aviation and airports. This means that it becomes difficult for the individual to find a new job and that the industry loses valuable knowledge.