Birmingham airport staff reject second pay offer

The union has now held two ballots with the company's offer being rejected on both occasions. In the most recent ballot, 76.5 per cent of members rejected the company offer, the union said.

Unite, which represents security staff, baggage handlers, technicians, information desk staff and engineers, said workers' pay has been frozen since February 2009. It pointed out the RPI has leapt 13 per cent since then.

Workers have also endured changes to their terms and conditions, pension scheme and the owners of the airport are now proposing changes to shift patterns, the union claims.

Birmingham Airport made a profit after tax of £5.2 million in 2010/2011, according to Unite, and is increasing passenger numbers, opening up new routes and extending the runway to allow long haul flights while workers' pay has been frozen and their terms and conditions have been slashed.

Unite regional officer Peter Coulson said: "Birmingham Airport is taking off but management have grounded their workers' pay."

At the last set of negotiations, Unite offered to allow Acas to assist in conciliation in an attempt to break the deadlock but this was rejected by the company. 

Mr Coulson said: "Our members' patience is running out. We have no option but to prepare for an industrial action ballot," but added: "There is still time for the owners of Birmingham Airport to get serious and listen to our members reasonable demands."

johnm@peoples-press.com