Strikes are set to go ahead at Bournemouth Airport after workers rejected a new pay offer from the employer.
Around 80 Unite members working across baggage handling, check-in, flight dispatching and plane fuelling will walk out on 30 September, 1 October, 16 October and 17 October.
Industrial action was due to happen earlier this month but was paused while members voted on whether to accept a revised pay deal. However, workers have now rejected that offer and confirmed new dates for strike action.
Bournemouth Airport has seen strong financial results, with passenger numbers rising and more than £50 million invested in expansion this year. Charges for airlines also went up by five per cent. But Unite says staff are struggling to afford essentials after years of low pay and that the latest pay deal amounts to a real-terms cut.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the situation was “completely unacceptable” and called on the airport to make a fairer offer.
Regional officer Janet Wall said the strike would cause disruption for passengers but insisted the employer could avoid it by returning to negotiations.
Bournemouth Airport serves more than 950,000 passengers each year with flights to 34 destinations, mainly through TUI and Ryanair. Services are expected to be badly affected during the strike because the staff involved cover a wide range of operations.
Fire service staff at the airport, represented under a separate agreement, have accepted a new pay deal and will not be joining the industrial action.
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