Almost 80 key workers at Bournemouth Airport have been balloted for strike action after the airport’s operator was sold to a global investment firm
British holidaymakers face chaos later this month and next as a UK airport threatens complete closure – with nearly 80 essential workers poised to down tools amid a pay row.
Around 80 members of Unite, who work in different areas of the airport including baggage handling, check-in, flight dispatching and plane fuelling, have decided to walk out 30 September, 1 October, 16 October and 17 October after workers rejected a new deal offer.
“Bournemouth Airport is successful and profitable – this year it increased all of its airport charges by five per cent and has also invested over £50 million in expanding the airport due to increased passenger numbers. Yet workers at the airport have struggled to afford essentials following years of low pay and believe that given the cost-of-living crisis the pay offers from the employer equate to a real-terms pay cut,” a statement from Unite said.
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Bournemouth Airport serves more than 950,000 passengers a year and offers flights to 34 destinations across Europe and North Africa, primarily operated by airlines such as TUI and Ryanair. Unite has claimed that routes to and from the airport will be severely impacted by any strike action due to the numbers of workers involved, and the fact they work across different services in the airport.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is completely unacceptable that people working for a profitable employer are struggling to afford the basics. Bournemouth Airport’s success comes from its hardworking staff. It can fully afford to reward them by coming back with fair offer. Unite members will have the full backing of the union during this industrial action.”
Unite members who worked for the fire service at Bournemouth Airport, part of a different union bargaining agreement, will not be striking after accepting a new pay deal.
Unite regional officer Janet Wall said: “This dispute will inevitably result in major disruption to passengers, but this dispute is entirely the fault of the employer.
“Offers so far have been rejected as they don’t go far enough to address years of low pay and the fact that workers are struggling financially. However, Bournemouth Airport can stop this highly disruptive strike action by coming back with a new improved offer.”
The situation has emerged following reports that Bournemouth Airport’s operator was purchased by a global investment firm.
Last month when the prospect of the strike was first floated, union leaders claimed staff were offended by a below-inflation wage proposal. The boost amounted to a 4.5 per cent increase for the lowest-earning employees, lifting them to just £12.22 hourly, Unite claimed. Meanwhile, 3 per cent was proposed to better-paid personnel.
“We are extremely disappointed industrial action has been threatened despite the airport having negotiated extensively and in good faith with Unite and having met all their previous demands in full,” the airport said in a statement on Tuesday.
“This included making significantly improved pay offers to staff in line with requests, which Unite recommended to their members for approval.”
Bournemouth Airport was sold alongside Exeter and Norwich in a £200 million deal to the investment group ICG. The three regional airports are run by Regional and City Airports (RCA) which is entering a new partnership.