Birmingham airport refuellers to strike

Refuelling tanker drivers and operators employed at Birmingham airport will strike over pay, Unite said today (August 1)

The workers, who refuel over three quarters of planes at the airport, have rejected a nine per cent pay offer. This is a real terms pay cut when the real rate of inflation, RPI, stands at 10.7 per cent.

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.

Meanwhile, Menzies most recent annual report shows it made revenues of over £1 billion in 2021 with operating profits of £60.4 million.

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.”

All out indefinite strike action will begin on Tuesday, August 15 leading to cancelled flights. Birmingham airport airlines include TUI, easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Lufthansa and Emirates.

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.”

By Ryan Fletcher