Unite warns of Stansted flight delays as workers set for strike action

Trade union Unite has claimed there will be flight delays at Stansted next week when workers who look after passengers with disabilities go on strike.

The union said more than 100 Unite members at ABM have voted for strike action between April 17-20 in response to a “real-terms pay cut”.

The workers have rejected a new pay offer of an additional one pence on their hourly rates in the first year and a further two or three pence in the second year, according to the union.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham: “This is one of the meanest so-called pay rises imaginable. Dedicated workers will have to work for an entire week just to buy a tin of beans.”

Stansted, which has been approached for comment, previously said it did not anticipate any disruption to flights.

However, Unite has insisted the strike will lead to flight delays as extra time will be needed to board travellers with disabilities.

The union said many ABM staff are currently paid below the London Living Wage of £14.80, which it said makes them among the lowest paid at Stansted.

Graham said: “It is beyond contempt that a profitable company such as ABM is choosing to prioritise greed and exposing its workers to a real-terms pay cut. Our members at ABM will be fully supported by Unite throughout this dispute.”

Unite regional officer Steve Edwards said: “Any strike action and the resulting disruption is entirely the fault of ABM for putting profits over people.

“ABM could avoid this disruption but it relies on management coming back with a realistic pay offer that reflects the hard work our members do.”

An ABM spokesperson said: “ABM has received notice that team members at Stansted working on passenger assistance will go on strike. We are disappointed that industrial action is to be taken given our constructive engagement with Unite the Union. 

“While we remain optimistic about reaching a resolution, our immediate priority is to limit disruption to the thousands of passengers with special assistance requirements who use our service every day at Stansted. 

“Through comprehensive contingency planning, we intend to continue delivering services throughout this period, with measures in place to maintain safety, operational resilience, and service continuity as far as possible."