Strikes by almost 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to escalate in a dispute over pay.

The Unite members are a mixture of air traffic control workers and hourly paid workers which include customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners - with the airport expected to experience a shutdown with so many essential workers striking.

Workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are paid less than those doing the same roles at Newcastle Airport, a city with a lower cost of living. For example, a starter air traffic controller at Leeds Bradford Airport earns around £34,000 while the same role at Newcastle is paid £55,000.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is wrong that workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are paid far less than those doing the same job at another nearby airport.

"These are essential workers who play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the airport and the safety of passengers and deserve fair pay. Unite will always fully back our members taking action at Leeds Bradford Airport.”

Newcastle Airport is part owned by Spanish firm AENA, who also owns a 51 per cent majority stake at Leeds Bradford Airport as part of a £270 million holding company deal completed in May.

Unite members are seeking pay parity with their colleagues at Newcastle Airport. Workers at Leeds Bradford Airport have recently come out of a four-year pay deal and some of the departments have fallen behind other airports in equivalent roles, while many workers on hourly contracts are paid just above minimum wage and have been left struggling with the rising cost of essentials.

Hourly paid staff at the airport have received an offer and are currently being balloted on it. However, air traffic controllers have not received any offer.

Should the latter be the only group striking the airport will still face a potential shutdown as flights will not be able to take off or land.

Workers are striking this Friday (16 October) to Sunday (18 October). The next round of industrial action will take place from 23 October to 2 November which coincides with the busy half term period.

Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: “We appreciate those travelling to and from Leeds Bradford Airport will be concerned to hear that there are further strike dates, but the situation is completely the fault of the airport’s management. It can end this dispute, but that relies on it coming back to the table with a fair deal for our members.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org