Nearly 80 workers at Bournemouth Airport are being balloted on whether to take strike action in a pay dispute.
The Unite members include a range of roles such as baggage handlers, security staff, check-in workers, plane fuellers and flight dispatchers. They have rejected a pay offer that would bring the lowest paid to £12.22 per hour, with a 3 per cent rise for higher-paid staff.
Unite says the proposed increase falls short in the face of rising living costs, and that many staff feel it would amount to a real-terms pay cut.
The union pointed out that Bournemouth Airport remains financially strong, has increased its charges by 5 per cent this year, and is investing more than £50 million in its expansion due to rising passenger demand.
The ballot will close on 20 August. If workers vote in favour, industrial action could begin from early September.