Liverpool Airport faces strike threat
15.09.07
Liverpool Airport could be shut down by a strike over a bitter pay row, it has been revealled. The dispute, involves firefighters, maintenance and bird scarers at the airport. Staff have rejected the airport's last offer. Should the firefighters strike, the airport would be forced to close due to lack of safety cover.
Airport bosses say they are prepared to meet with unions again next month to discuss the pay offer. But the GMB Union have said that the dispute has already been rumbling on for six months and that the workers have lost patience. A ballot for industrial action could be called next week.
Eddie Parker, GMB union regional organiser, said: 'Our members would not, at this moment, be slow to request a mandate for potential industrial action. They have concerns with regards to their future at Liverpool airport [after recent redundancies of airport baggage handlers].'
The airport's management has indicated they want to increase their 'final offer' and the union is keen to reopen negotiations, but Mr Parker warned that staff expect a significantly higher offer than previous talks. He said: The company are aware our members are looking for an above inflation pay rise. The last offer tabled by management was worth 3.2%, excluding add-ons for firefighters.'
Robin Tudor, the airport's spokesman said: 'This is all part of our annual pay awards and we want to keep talking and a date has been set for early October. We are keen to find a solution and still want to talk and resolve this and hopefully with this date set we hope this can happen.'
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