Unite members at Birmingham Airport are deciding whether to take industrial action over a pay row with bosses, which could see walkouts over the Christmas holiday period.
Unite is planning to open an industrial action ballot between Monday 12 November and Monday 26 November. It is accusing the airport management of ‘forcing a dispute’ with workers.
The airport has offered workers a 2.5 per cent pay increase and a one-off non-consolidated payment of £150. Unite claims the pay offer is too low given recent pay freezes, changes to terms and conditions and changes to pensions schemes.
Unite regional officer Peter Coulson said: “Staff have endured years of pay freezes and to make matters worse their pensions and conditions have been slashed. Our members’ patience is running out.
“The airport is forcing a dispute but there is still time for management to get serious and listen to our members’ reasonable demands.”
Coulson said if workers voted to strike, the walkout could take place any time from December 3.
Unite says it has held two consultative ballots with members and the airport’s offer has been rejected both times. In the most recent ballot Unite says 76.5 per cent of members returning ballot papers rejected the offer.
A statement from Birmingham Airport said: “We can reassure customers that airport will remain open and it will be business as usual. Contingencies have been tested and are in place to avoid any disruption that potential industrial action aims to cause the travelling public.”
Unite’s members include security staff, baggage handlers, air side safety, technicians, information desk staff, engineers and administrative staff.