Dozens of staff members at Stansted Airport have announced they will strike next month after rejecting a pay offer. Around 100 workers for ABM are planning industrial action as early as next week. Many of the staff members perform crucial jobs, like escorting passengers on and off flights through the airport.
Strike Dates and Background
The dates of industrial action are May 3 to May 6. The strike comes after what they say is an 'unacceptable' pay offer, reports The Mirror. Staff had been scheduled to take industrial action from April 17 to 20, but it was called off to allow workers to vote on a last-minute pay offer. However, the strike is now going to go ahead with Unite calling the situation 'unacceptable'.
Union Response
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'ABM staff do a vital job for passengers at the airport, yet they are struggling with low pay while their employer makes huge profits. This situation is unacceptable and workers at ABM continue to have Unite's full support.'
A statement from Unite reads: 'Industrial action by Unite members who look after passengers with disabilities at London Stansted Airport will go ahead next month, after they rejected a new pay offer. Around 100 workers at ABM will now walk out from 3 May to 6 May, coinciding with the first May bank holiday weekend, after rejecting a substandard pay offer from their employer. ABM staff, who do a crucial job escorting passengers on and off flights and through the airport say the offer failed to tackle low pay.'
Pay Concerns
Many of the workers are paid below the London Living Wage of £14.80. Yet ABM is a highly profitable global company, reporting in March that it made $2.2 billion in revenue, an increase of 6.1 per cent on the previous year. The strike is set to cause disruption during the busy bank holiday period, with passengers advised to check with their airline for updates.
