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Strike threat at London airports | Strike threat at London airports |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Maintenance workers at Heathrow and Gatwick airports are to stage a 24-hour strike next month in a pay dispute. | |
GMB members working for Emcor, which provides maintenance, cleaning and security services at the airports, will walk off the job on 7 September. | GMB members working for Emcor, which provides maintenance, cleaning and security services at the airports, will walk off the job on 7 September. |
The union said 100 workers would strike after members overwhelmingly rejected the firm's pay offer in a ballot. | The union said 100 workers would strike after members overwhelmingly rejected the firm's pay offer in a ballot. |
But Emcor insisted only about 50 staff were likely to be involved, and there would be no disruption to passengers. | But Emcor insisted only about 50 staff were likely to be involved, and there would be no disruption to passengers. |
'No difference' | 'No difference' |
Should the stoppage go ahead, Emcor said the striking workers would be replaced by temporary staff and managers to ensure there was no disruption. | Should the stoppage go ahead, Emcor said the striking workers would be replaced by temporary staff and managers to ensure there was no disruption. |
"Passengers won't even notice or see any difference whatsoever," a spokesman said. | "Passengers won't even notice or see any difference whatsoever," a spokesman said. |
But GMB said this raised "grave" security concerns since the striking workers were responsible for vital services such as maintaining and repairing aircraft tow trucks and passenger ramps. | But GMB said this raised "grave" security concerns since the striking workers were responsible for vital services such as maintaining and repairing aircraft tow trucks and passenger ramps. |
Emcor can afford to pay a fair increase to our members who live in the expensive south east Rob Kelsall, GMB | Emcor can afford to pay a fair increase to our members who live in the expensive south east Rob Kelsall, GMB |
It said 81% of participating members had voted for the strike, the first ever at Emcor. | It said 81% of participating members had voted for the strike, the first ever at Emcor. |
GMB said staff were being offered a 3% annual pay rise, some way below the level of retail price inflation. | GMB said staff were being offered a 3% annual pay rise, some way below the level of retail price inflation. |
"They are very angry and have deemed the offer as a kick in the teeth," said GMB official Rob Kelsall, adding that workers had to a right to share in the firm's growth. | "They are very angry and have deemed the offer as a kick in the teeth," said GMB official Rob Kelsall, adding that workers had to a right to share in the firm's growth. |
"Emcor is a profitable company and it can afford to pay a fair increase to our members who live in the expensive South East." | "Emcor is a profitable company and it can afford to pay a fair increase to our members who live in the expensive South East." |
Emcor maintains facilities at passenger terminals, aircraft hangars and cargo centres on behalf of British Airways. | Emcor maintains facilities at passenger terminals, aircraft hangars and cargo centres on behalf of British Airways. |
It said its pay offer was a fair one and that two thirds of its 320 staff at Heathrow and Gatwick had accepted it. | It said its pay offer was a fair one and that two thirds of its 320 staff at Heathrow and Gatwick had accepted it. |
Mounting problems | Mounting problems |
Holidaymakers and businesses have been counting the cost of mounting delays at Heathrow over the past year. | Holidaymakers and businesses have been counting the cost of mounting delays at Heathrow over the past year. |
The legacy of 2006's terrorist bomb alert, which led to a tightening of security procedures at British airports, and staffing problems at Heathrow have piled pressure on BAA, the airport's operator. | The legacy of 2006's terrorist bomb alert, which led to a tightening of security procedures at British airports, and staffing problems at Heathrow have piled pressure on BAA, the airport's operator. |
Ministers and business groups have warned that the UK's economic competitiveness could be seriously damaged if capacity problems at Heathrow are not addressed. | Ministers and business groups have warned that the UK's economic competitiveness could be seriously damaged if capacity problems at Heathrow are not addressed. |
But in comparison to recent years, this summer has been relatively free of industrial disputes at Heathrow and other UK airports. | But in comparison to recent years, this summer has been relatively free of industrial disputes at Heathrow and other UK airports. |
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