STAFF who refuel planes at Birmingham Airport are threatening an indefinite strike over pay.
Unite the Union said refuelling tanker drivers and operators who work at the airport rejected a nine per cent pay offer, claiming it is a real terms pay cut when the real rate of inflation, RPI, stands at 10.7 per cent.
The workers are employed by Menzies Aviation and refuel over three quarters of planes at the airport.
Unite regional officer Sulinder Singh said: “Holiday makers will not be pleased that their summer getaways could be ruined because Menzies’ greed has resulted in their planes sitting on the tarmac.
“This dispute can be avoided but Menzies needs to return with an offer our members can accept.”
All out indefinite strike action will begin on August 15 and could lead to cancelled flights.
The union said last year, the workers received a six per cent pay rise, which due to rocketing inflation was also a significant pay cut in real terms.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Menzies can afford to pay and it should pay.
“The company cannot expect these workers to agree to two years’ of real terms pay cuts during a cost of living crisis when it is bringing in such massive profits.
“Unite is totally focused on improving our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and the workforce at Menzies have Unite’s total support.”
Birmingham Airport said: “Fuellers at Birmingham Airport are employed by a number of third party companies.
“Those employed by Menzies Aviation have voted to take industrial action although negotiations were ongoing.
“Menzies Aviation is putting contingency plans into operation. Birmingham Airport does not anticipate flight cancellations.”
Birmingham airport airlines include TUI, easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Lufthansa and Emirates.
The Observer has contacted Menzies Aviation for comment.
