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10th Dec 2002, 15:20
Airport workers reject pay offer
The largest union at seven UK airports has rejected a pay offer, leaving uncertainty surrounding flights over Christmas.
The Transport and General Workers Union says its members have voted by 1,772 to 846 against an improved offer, while members of the Amicus union voted by 363 to 259 to accept the deal.
The union members work mainly as firefighters and security guards at the airports and have been involved in a long-running row over pay.
The strikes could affect Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton airports.
Bill Morris, general secretary of the TGWU, has been meeting officials from the British Airports Authority to try to avert the strikes.
He said: "The vote to reject the offer reflects the determination of our members to secure just reward for the added responsibilities they have had since September 11."
Mr Morris says the company has responded to his request for an immediate resumption of talks, but he added: "Should these talks prove to be unsuccessful, the statutory seven days' notice will be given for industrial action."
The two-year offer on which workers have been voting includes a pay rise of at least 1.7%, plus a lump sum of £150 backdated to April, plus a further £150, followed by a rise of at least 3.5%.
The BAA says the offer is worth 7% over two years.
The largest union at seven UK airports has rejected a pay offer, leaving uncertainty surrounding flights over Christmas.
The Transport and General Workers Union says its members have voted by 1,772 to 846 against an improved offer, while members of the Amicus union voted by 363 to 259 to accept the deal.
The union members work mainly as firefighters and security guards at the airports and have been involved in a long-running row over pay.
The strikes could affect Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton airports.
Bill Morris, general secretary of the TGWU, has been meeting officials from the British Airports Authority to try to avert the strikes.
He said: "The vote to reject the offer reflects the determination of our members to secure just reward for the added responsibilities they have had since September 11."
Mr Morris says the company has responded to his request for an immediate resumption of talks, but he added: "Should these talks prove to be unsuccessful, the statutory seven days' notice will be given for industrial action."
The two-year offer on which workers have been voting includes a pay rise of at least 1.7%, plus a lump sum of £150 backdated to April, plus a further £150, followed by a rise of at least 3.5%.
The BAA says the offer is worth 7% over two years.