Liverpool Airport faces strike threat
04.10.07
Liverpool Airport faces an increased strike threat as workers are expected to reject a new pay offer. Any walkout would mean the airport would be forced to close, as firefighters are among staff involved in the dispute.
The airport has tabled what they say is their final improved pay offer to firefighters, maintenance staff and bird scarers. But a 3.8% wage rise, backdated to April 1 this year and a further 0.2% from October 1, is still short of the 4.8% rise that staff have demanded. However, neither the GMB nor Amicus unions recommended that their members accept the deal.
The airport workers will start to vote on the new pay offer today, with the result of the ballot expected next Wednesday. If the offer is rejected, then unions will hold a further staff ballot on strike action.
GMB union regional organiser Eddie Parker said: 'The members are aware of the consequences of rejecting this final offer and we have made that clear on the ballot paper we will put to them. The staff said they would not accept anything less than 4.8% and the staff representatives said they would not recommend it.'
'There is a very strong likelihood there will be a ballot for industrial action. The company view is they have reached the bottom of the barrel in respect that there's nothing else there.' He said there were further elements in the offer for firefighters that would mean 'sacrifices within their own terms and conditions'.
Airport spokesman Robin Tudor said: 'We believe staff have been offered a generous pay award and hope that they realise that, while the company is still not profitable, this is as a good offer, particularly in comparison with others in the public and private sector.'
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