Airport staff announce four days of strikes

Previous strike action planned by members of the Unite union at Bournemouth Airport in September was called off

Airport workers are set to strike on four days in a dispute over pay.

The action at Bournemouth Airport by members of the Unite union, was originally expected to take place in September but it was called off after an improved pay offer was put forward.

Unite said the current situation faced by about 80 members is "unacceptable" and the decision to reject the new pay offer and take industrial action has the "full backing of the union".

The strikes, involving workers in baggage handling, check-in, flight dispatching and plane fuelling, are set to take place on 30 September, 1 October and then on 16 and 17 October.

The union said workers at the airport were struggling with the cost-of-living crisis following years of low pay and, given increased costs of essentials such as utility bills and groceries, the pay offers equated to a real-terms pay cut.

An offer of a 5% rise for the lowest paid and 4.5% for higher paid members was previously rejected.

Those working in the fire service at the airport, who are part of a different union bargaining agreement, have accepted a new pay deal and will not be involved in the strike action.

Bournemouth Airport has been contacted for comment.