Leeds Bradford Airport security staff vote for strike action

Security staff could walk out at the end of August, the GMB union said

Security staff at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) have voted to take strike action in a dispute over pay.

The GMB union said it wanted an "immediate substantial increase in the hourly rate of pay" to address the "cost of living crisis".

Staff would walk out at the end of August, which could leave thousands of passengers grounded, if a "meaningful offer" was not made, the union said.

LBA said the strike vote was "without warning and without discussions".

The union said airport management had delayed pay talks and had introduced "discretionary and performance-related bonuses".

It added that many staff were struggling on the minimum wage and faced increasing work pressure due to "chronic under-staffing across the sector".

'Incredibly patient'

GMB organiser Rachel Dix said 93% of members voted in favour of industrial action which showed "the strength of feeling" among workers.

"All they are asking for is a wage which will afford them a decent standard of living," she said.

"Our members have been incredibly patient but the discretionary performance-related bonuses that have been offered are not trusted, too late in the day and are no substitute for an hourly pay increase.

"They are not prepared to wait any longer for the respect and remuneration they deserve from their employer, but they are genuinely open to constructive negotiation that will pave the way to a satisfactory resolution."

In response, LBA said the ballot covered "a small proportion of LBA security staff - less than 25%".

The airport said that since February security staff pay had risen by 11.1% and the pay of more highly skilled staff by 15.6%, adding that "only 2.5% in each case" was performance-related.

Vincent Hodder, CEO of LBA, said: "We are disappointed at this cynical move to industrial action before requesting any negotiations.

"Despite the damage to the aviation industry during the pandemic, we have done everything we can to increase the pay of our front-line staff, and feel that pay increases of up to 15% is a considerable step in improving conditions."

Mr Hodder added that LBA remained "committed" to working with the GMB and staff to reach agreement "and thereby avoid unnecessary strike action".