Operations at Liverpool John Lennon Airport could be affected over this week’s Bank Holiday weekend as members of the GMB union are set to go on strike.
GMB says Liverpool Airport Ltd has “failed to meet the aspirations” of the GMB members, who have rejected the company’s proposed below inflation pay offer of two per cent.
They are set to stage a 36-hour strike from 19.00h on Thursday, 23 August and carry on until 07.00h on Saturday, 25 August. This will be followed by a further 12 hour of strike beginning at 07.00h on Monday, 3 September.
A total of 80 workers from aviation rescue and firefighting services, the control room, engineering and driver operations and airport bird control will walk out during the bank holiday weekend.
GMB said further strike dates will follow. GMB members overwhelmingly voted for strike action – their first this century – after management offered a below inflation pay increase of 2%. This would mean a real terms pay cut for GMB members.
GMB organiser, Eddie Parker said: “We have informed the company strike action will not be suspended unless a 3.6% increase is offered.
“The company has allegedly employed outside third party companies to undertake the responsibilities presently undertaken by the aviation rescue and firefighting service and bird control personnel.
“GMB is currently unaware whether the outside agency workers have the necessary specialised skill set and personal fitness standards required to undertake these specialist roles.
“Whilst Liverpool Airport Ltd has financially invested in developing the airport over recent years, the same sadly cannot be said of their investment in their employees – who have had enough of being taken for granted by their employer.”
