Airport
staff have voted to strike after rejecting the latest pay offer from the
British Airports Authority.
Transport
and General Workers’ Union members employed by BAA at seven UK airports plan to
strike.
The
dispute will involve firefighters, security guards and operational support
workers employed by BAA at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Aberdeen,
Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Tim
Lyle, T&G national secretary for aviation said: "The vote in favour of
strike action represents the sheer frustration at the company’s offer, given
the increased workloads and responsibilities placed upon BAA employees
following September 11.
"Coupled
with the knowledge that traffic figures have improved and the company is in
profit, our members justifiably feel the pay offer falls short of what they
deserve.
"There
will be a union meeting of senior stewards next Monday to plan the industrial
action."
In
all, 65.44 per cent voted in favour of strike action, with 34.56 per cent
against. Turnout in the ballot was 78 per cent.
