Workers providing assistance to disabled travelers at London Stansted Airport are set to strike in response to a pay increase described as insufficient by a trade union.
According to Unite, over 100 employees of the facilities management company ABM have rejected a proposed pay rise that would grant them an additional 1p per hour in the first year, with increases to 2p or 3p in the following year. The union characterized this offer as equivalent to „one extra tin of beans“ per week.
The union highlighted that most of the staff earn below the London Living Wage of £14.80 and are likely to experience increased financial strain due to the ongoing expansion of the Essex airport.
ABM expressed disappointment regarding the planned strikes, scheduled to occur between April 17 and April 20, but stated that it would continue discussions to reach a „fair“ resolution.
Concerns Over Fair Compensation
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, criticized the pay proposal, stating,
„This is one of the meanest so-called pay rises imaginable. Dedicated workers will have to work for an entire week just to buy a tin of beans.“
She further expressed her disdain for ABM’s prioritization of profits over the welfare of its employees, calling the situation „beyond contempt.“
Graham emphasized that the union would provide full support to its members during this dispute.
ABM’s Response
Steve Edwards, a regional officer for Unite, accused ABM of prioritizing profits at the expense of its workforce. He urged the company to present a „realistic pay offer that reflects the hard work our members do“ to avoid disruptions.
An ABM representative countered the union’s claims, stating,
„It is not accurate to describe the proposal as a ‚pennies‘ increase. The offer we have proposed is a structured, staged pay increase over time, designed to provide an uplift to hourly rates.“
The spokesperson also noted that the company aims to minimize disruption for the thousands of passengers requiring special assistance at Stansted Airport.
As the situation develops, the focus remains on the negotiations between ABM and Unite, with the potential for significant impacts on airport operations and the workers involved.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Christian Lue auf Unsplash
