GMB union members working at Liverpool John Lennon airport have warned of 12 further days of strikes after rejecting a pay deal.
Staff at the airport staged industrial action over the bank holiday weekend and 3 September in a row over pay rises. The GMB says 68 per cent of its members rejected Liverpool airport’s offer of a 2.2 per cent increase and a £150 lump sum because it comes in below inflation rates. The airport’s initial offer was 2 per cent.
The GMB claims the rise would equate to a real-terms pay cut.
As a result, the union has warned the airport of four further strike days in September, during which 80 workers from the aviation rescue and fire fighting services, the control room, engineering and driver operations and bird control will walk out.
In addition, the GMB says there will be at least eight strike days throughout October.
The GMB says it has lowered its initial expectations of a 3.6 per cent rise to 3 per cent “in a bid to avert industrial action”.
Eddie Parker, GMB organiser, commented: “It’s not surprising GMB members rejected Liverpool Airport Ltd’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 per cent. Meanwhile, we dropped our expectations by 0.6 per cent to try and avoid industrial action.
“We have informed the company strike action will not be suspended unless a 3.6 per cent 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.”
Staff will walk out from 0700 to 1900 on 13, 19, 24 and 26 September. Dates for October strike days are yet to be confirmed.
Liverpool John Lennon airport put plans in place to limit disruption to passengers during the recent strikes.