British holidaymakers are bracing for disruptions later this month and next as a UK airport faces potential closure due to nearly 80 essential workers preparing to strike over a pay dispute.
Approximately 80 members of Unite, responsible for various airport operations such as baggage handling, check-in services, flight dispatching, and refueling planes, have scheduled walkouts on September 30, October 1, 16, and 17 after rejecting a new offer.
In a statement, Unite highlighted the disparity between the airport’s profitability and the workers’ financial struggles, citing years of low pay and the rising cost of living. Despite Bournemouth Airport’s success and recent investments, employees feel the proposed pay increases do not adequately address their financial challenges.
Serving over 950,000 passengers annually with flights to 34 destinations in Europe and North Africa, Bournemouth Airport, predominantly utilized by airlines like TUI and Ryanair, could experience significant disruptions if the strike proceeds, affecting various airport services.
Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, criticized the airport’s failure to offer fair compensation to its hardworking staff, emphasizing the need for a more equitable pay offer to resolve the dispute and avoid industrial action.
Although Unite members within the fire service at Bournemouth Airport, under a separate bargaining agreement, have accepted a new pay deal and will not participate in the strike.
The ongoing conflict escalated following the acquisition of Bournemouth Airport by a global investment firm, adding to the tensions between workers and management over pay grievances.
Despite the airport’s efforts to negotiate and meet previous demands, including improved pay offers, Unite’s members remain unsatisfied, leading to the looming strike action.
The recent sale of Bournemouth Airport as part of a £200 million deal involving Exeter and Norwich airports to investment group ICG has further complicated the situation, as these regional airports are now under the management of Regional and City Airports (RCA) in a new partnership.
