Pay strikes are expected to take place on September 30, October 1, 16, and 17 at Bournemouth Airport after Staff rejected the latest offer. On Aug 5, Unite announced the potential shutdown in early Sept at the airport as members unanimously rejected a pay offer of 4.5%.
Industrial Action Confirmed for Late September and October
Pay strikes are expected to go ahead later this month and early Oct, including Sept 30, Oct 1, 16, and 17, at Bournemouth Airport, announced by the Unite union today on Sept 16, as the staff are not satisfied with the new deal offered by the management.
The action is following by a few rounds of negotiation.
With this newly announced action, disruption might be caused at the airport.
Unite members who worked for the fire service at the Airport, part of a different union bargaining agreement, have accepted a new deal and will not take part in the upcoming industrial action.
In the recently released statement, the airport stated that it was “extremely disappointed” although the airport had “negotiated extensively and in good faith with Unite and had met all their previous demands in full”.
It also stated that the airport “will continue to seek to reach an agreement with Unite without the need for industrial action” and works on “contingency plans to minimise disruption”.
Previous Offers Rejected Amid Growing Frustration
On Aug 5, Unite announced the potential shutdown in early Sept at the airport as members unanimously rejected a pay offer of 4.5% the lowest paid bringing them up to £12.22 per hour, and 3% for the higher paid members.
Afterward, on Aug 22, another statement was made by Unite.
Another pay offer of five per cent for the lowest paid, bringing them up to £12.27 per hour, and then 4.5% for the higher paid members, was rejected by the staff. The staff were planning to strike from Sept 5 to 7 and 14.
About 80 members of Unite, who work at different positions across the airport, including baggage handling, check-in, flight dispatching, and plane fuelling, were expected to take part in the industrial action.
However, the action was paused in order to allow the worker to vote on whether to accept a new deal.
The updated plan of industrial action was then announced today by Unite.
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 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.”
What do you think about the upcoming strikes at Bournemouth Airport? Should the staff hold out for a better deal, or is the airport doing enough? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
