Liverpool John Lennon airport has pledged to maintain “business as usual” despite a group of workers voting for 12 days of strikes until the end of October.
Eighty members of the GMB union, representing workers across fire service, airfield operations, airport operations control and car parks, turned down a new pay deal and warned of more travel disruption.
During a consultation ballot, 68% of GMB members rejected the airport’s latest pay offer of 2.2%.
As a result, the union plans four days of strikes this month – on September 13, 19, 24 and 26 – and a minimum of eight walkouts in October.
The latest threatened action follows two strikes during the summer peak including over the August bank holiday.
The airport insisted that “robust contingency plans” have so far prevented flight delays or disruption to passengers.
“These plans will remain in place during any future strikes to ensure that it remains business as usual throughout all further industrial action too,” a spokesman said.
He added: “The airport company is again very disappointed with the result of this latest ballot and continues to believe this pay offer compares favourably with pay increases seen by many other large private and public sector organisations across the region.
“The company hopes that GMB members will recognise that the offer put forward represents a fair and reasonable pay increase in the current climate.”
A final offer of 2.2% backdated to April 1 was made, plus a £150 one-off payment, equivalent to an average pay award of 2.7%.
“This is an increase of 0.7% on the company’s original offer and above the current consumer price inflation rate of 2.5%,” the spokesman said.
“However, the GMB have informed the airport that their members have voted to reject this improved offer and will continue with their industrial action.”
The union said it had dropped pay award expectations from 3.6% to 3% in a bid to avert industrial action.
GMB organiser Eddie Parker said: “It’s not surprising GMB members rejected Liverpool airport’s new pay offer – because to accept it would mean a real terms pay cut for them.
“The company really don’t seem willing to compromise – increasing their offer by just 0.2%
“Meanwhile, we dropped our expectations by 0.6% to try an avoid industrial action.
“We have informed the company strike action will not be suspended unless a 3.6% increase is offered.
“Despite this attitude, GMB is more than willing to get round the table and try and reach a deal which will stop industrial action – and avoid any more disruption for travellers.”
More: Liverpool airport faces bank holiday strike
Liverpool John Lennon airport completes terminal improvements