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Thousands of holidaymakers face flight chaos after BAA staff vote to strike
Sri Carmichael, Consumer Affairs Reporter13 Aug 2010
Holidaymakers face flight chaos after thousands of key airport staff today voted to go on strike.
The walk-out, which could take place as early as next week or over the August Bank Holiday, would see Heathrow, Stansted and four other airports around the country shut completely.
Airport operator BAA is in a pay dispute with Unite union members including firefighters, security guards, engineers and ground staff. The company said flights cannot land or take-off without these essential workers.
Today it was announced that a three-to-one majority of 6,185 Unite members voted to go on strike.
They have rejected the offer of a one per cent pay increase and an extra 0.5 per cent boost linked to changing the current sickness agreement.
Brendan Gold, Unite's national officer for civil aviation, said: “BAA's measly pay offer is nothing short of confrontational.
“Last year staff accepted a pay freeze, their generosity helped the company, BAA has returned the favour with no bonus and a one per cent pay offer when inflation is currently five per cent.”
BAA staff including security personnel, engineers, fire fighters and support workers accepted a pay freeze last year.
Prime minister David Cameron immediately condemned the threatened industrial action and said he hoped the strikers would see sense. He said the walk-out would be “pointless” and achieve nothing “apart from damage”.
Speaking at Downing Street, he said: “These sorts of strikes never achieve anything apart from damage - damage to business, damage to jobs, damage to the interests of tourists who want to come to visit Britain, or people who want to leave Britain and have a holiday overseas.
“I very much hope that they don't go ahead. They will do nothing but harm. We want to demonstrate that Britain is open for business.”
Reader views (15)
According to the evening standard there is 7.5 approx million part time employed workers in this country - therefore if only 50% of those workers would like a full time job - SACK the striking staff and employ them. I have a 19 year old son that has sent of 50 job applications, still without work, is sick of having no social life - or any type of life at his young age, as no money, who would love a job. He's willing to work and thousands like him who know the harsh realities of no salary or prospect in these hard times. Remember strikers, there are 100 people willing to step into one persons job at present!!!!
- Tessa, London, 12/08/2010 23:20
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These greedy workers are lucky to have jobs nowadays.
I suppose they are gearing up to cause chaos over the bank holiday - typical. Not much sympathy with holiday makers having yet more "breaks" but I need to book on Eurostar for a business trip.
- michael, London, UK, 12/08/2010 19:13
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At a time when there are so many people unemployed the fact that a union would chose to not work because a raise wasnt high enough for them, is beyond insane.
- Denise Thompson, Tustin, USA, 12/08/2010 17:56
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Fire them all and recruit new people. No problem. There are five people unemployed for every vacancy in the UK. I doubt if the Unite leaders have ever done a proper working day at all.
- David Short, Tunis, 12/08/2010 17:33
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I am due to go on holiday during the last week of August, last week it looked as though the Spanish Air Traffic Controllers were going to prevent this with thier threatened walkouts over their salaries being reduced to 167,000 euros a year! At least they had the decency to postpone their action until the peak holiday season was over. Now I have to deal the uncertainty and prospect of Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley and their Unite colleagues ruining my holiday. I give up! These people are living in la la land and need a reality check.Less than half those balloted voted, there's no mandate and they are only going to hurt ordinary working families if they take the action. Perhaps David Milliband would like to comment, he is after all being supported by Unite in the Labour Leadership elections.
- Richard, St Albans, United Kingdom, 12/08/2010 17:16
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UNITE make me feel sick. This isn't just holidays. It's business, weddings, funerals - people trying to go about their lives.
The greedy, selfish, bully-boy behaviour of UNITE is a national disgrace. Those in charge should be fired. They are clearly so bad at negotiating that they have to resort to holding to ransom those who have nothing to do with their dispute.
You can guarantee that the union exec holiday plans will not be affected by this.
If you think you should be paid more then do as the rest of us have to do. Get another job.
Is this UNITE guerilla tactics? Couldn't stop BA flying so go for BAA instead.
Meanwhile king of Greed Derek Simpson takes home a £200,000 a year package.
Sickening. Unbelievable.
Think you deserve more money? Then try and get another job. Your union bullies are only interested in feathering their nests and getting TV time. They are abject failures at negotiation.
- Joseph Yossarian, London, 12/08/2010 17:12
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Colin - you certainly live in the right place!
- Glyn, W1, 12/08/2010 16:54
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If Unite think 1% is a 'measly offer' try the real world most of us are working in - no pay rise for 2 years in my case and probably most other peoples.
- Paxton Pat, London, UK, 12/08/2010 16:42
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As usual those without the backbone to stand up for themselves condemn those that do.Pathetic wimps.
- colin, barking essex, 12/08/2010 16:33
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"Unite is also calling for staff to receive a £450 bonus, which had been promised to them if the company had met a certain earnings target.
BAA, owned by Spain's Ferrovial, missed the target by 3%. However, Unite says staff deserve financial recognition for coming so close."
The above is on the BBC. If I had that chat with my manager, I know I did not hit my target, but can I still have my bonus, her response would be along the lines of, be lucky you have a job, targets are meant to stretch you, it is why it is called an incentive.
What world do UNITE live in? Their arrogance is unbelievable.
- Alex, London, UK, 12/08/2010 16:21
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If Joe public wants to get their own back on Unite then boycott flying! Less traveling public means less need for flights and staff. This in turn will give the Airlines and Airports the excuse they need to lay off these trouble makers...
- Paul Humphreys, Essex, 12/08/2010 16:20
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I just saw the new conference held by Unite. It was chaired by two Scots. What is wrong with them? I find them (together with the previous governement) on the mission to destroy this country.
- artfuldodger128, london, 12/08/2010 16:19
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The Tyranny of the Weak and Feeble-minded.
- Anglo, Sussex England, 12/08/2010 16:17
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Unite - BA
Unite - BAA
Unite - Baaaaaahhhhh !
Are their members all sheep?????
- The Steck, London UK, 12/08/2010 11:57
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Unite are nothing but troublemakers, ran by overpaid ;ayabouts, who it seems, have to think up ways of justifying their salaries, and every time they do, it's the public who suffer, not them.
They will still have their holidays, because if strike action is voted for, they will ensure that their holiday dates are not affected.
- James from Camden - The Simple Plain Truth, London, 12/08/2010 09:22
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