Unions to hold strike ballot whilst talks continue
13.10.07
Key Liverpool Airport workers will be balloted on strike action after rejecting a final pay offer. The news comes despite reports that airport bosses and the GMB and Unite unions will 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 dispute that stretches back to April. 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 have said was their final offer.
Union leaders emphasised to their members on the last ballot paper 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 the airports final proposal has been snubbed, the electoral reform society will begin a formal ballot on strike action.
Airport chiefs said they are disappointed by the result of the ballot and have arranged the next round of talks with unions for next Thursday. The two unions said in a joint statement that they wish to avoid any 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 on the aspirations of members and the airport.'
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