Liverpool Airport talks continue, but strike vote planned
13.10.07
Liverpool Airport workers will be balloted on strike action after rejecting a final pay offer by a massive majority. The news comes despite reports that airport bosses and the GMB and Unite unions have pledged to continue talks in a bid to resolve the dispute while the ballot takes place.
Talks on the dispute over pay and working conditions have been ongoing for several weeks in a bid to reach a solution. But workers, including firefighters, engineers, air traffic control staff, airside safety officers and airport parking staff voted by 82% to reject a 3.8% deal backdated to April 1, rising to 4% from October 1 this year, which management said was their final offer.
Union leaders emphasised to their members that if they turned down the offer the next step would be a ballot to strike and potentially close the airport, because fire fighters and safety staff are involved. Now that what was described as the airports final proposal has been snubbed, the electoral reform society will begin a formal ballot on strike action, with the result expected within a month.
Airport chiefs said they were disappointed by the result and have arranged the next round of talks for next Thursday while the new ballot runs its course. The two unions said in a joint statement that they wish to avoid any potential disruption for the airport and that, while new talks will not affect the latest ballot, it will provide an opportunity for the unions and management 'to reflect again on the aspirations of members and the airport company.'
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