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.
Who are we? We're building a new independent free news source for BCP and east Dorset, with fewer ads, less clutter, and no filler articles. And we'd love your support. Please help us grow locally by letting your friends know about us on social media, and have a listen to Bournemouth One online and on DAB for all your local news, traffic, jobs, weather, coastal info and more.
Register below for free regular updates via email.