A pay rise equivalent to “a tin of beans” per week, according to trade union Unite, has resulted in a worker’s strike at London Stansted Airport (STN). These workers are part of the team at STN, assisting disabled passengers to their flights.
Rejection of pay rise
Over 100 of the members that work at ABM facilities have rejected this pay rise, according to Unite. Unhappy with the 1p increase per hour in the first year of ABM launching it, the company are looking at increasing the rise to 2p or 3p in the second year.
Unite added that most staff members were earning less than £14.80, which is the current living wage in London.
ABM have stated that it will negotiate further to find a resolution that feels “fair” but have described disappointment in the strikes organised from April 17-20.
A “pennies” increase?
A spokesperson for ABM has stated that the proposed wage is not “pennies” in increase:
“The offer we have proposed is a structured, staged pay increase over time, designated to provide an uplift to hourly rates. Our immediate priority is to limit disruption to the thousands of passengers with special assistance requirements who use our service every day at Stansted Airport.”
Sharon Graham, the Unite general secretary, said that this pay rise was “mean”:
“It is beyond contempt that a profitable company such as ABM is choosing to prioritise greed and exposing its workers to a real-terms pay cut. Our members at ABM will be fully supported by Unite throughout this dispute.”
Regional Officer of Unite, Steve Edwards, has described ABM as “putting profits over people” and stated that the hard work of the employees at STN should be recognised in their earnings.
What do you think of ABM’s pay rise proposal? Let us know in the comments below.
