Three-day walk out by staff at Humberside Airport called off while pay offer considered

Staff including firefighters, cleaners, security and travel shop workers will no longer strike as planned from 4.30am on Tuesday, November 14.

Unison regional organiser Michael Parkinson said they were recommending staff take the offer which would see their pay go up by almost £1,900.

A Humberside Airport spokesperson said they were pleased their offer had been recommended for approval.

Talks between airport bosses and the union through the ACAS arbitration service come after staff began their strike with a one-day walk out on Tuesday, October 17.

Two and three-day strikes were set to start on Tuesday, October 31 and tomorrow respectively, but the former was called off when talks between the union and airport management resumed.

Staff rejected a pay offer in August which would have seen those on around £21,000 get a 8.4 per cent pay rise, those on about £27,000 receive 6.5 per cent and workers on £35,000 get 5.1.

A £100 one-off payment to staff in November was also offered as part of the deal from employers Humberside Airport Ltd.

Unison said that while the pay offer was an improvement on current terms, it would still leave staff at the airport in Kirmington, North Lincolnshire, earning less than others elsewhere.

But an airport spokesperson said at the time the offer was fair and reasonable and said their strikes would have a limited impact on passengers.

Regional organiser Mr Parkinson said today (Monday, November 13) it was great that senior managers at the airport wanted to resolve the dispute.

The union official said: “As a result, a new and improved offer has been put forward.

“Meetings such as this also demonstrate the important work ACAS can do in bringing opposing sides together for constructive talks.

“The offer will now be put to staff with a recommendation it is accepted.

“Hopefully this positive turn of events can be the start of a productive working relationship between UNISON and Humberside Airport.”

The airport’s spokesperson said they looked forward to a positive relationship with the union.

They said: “We are pleased that, following constructive talks held with the assistance of ACAS, the union has agreed to recommend the pay offer made.”