London Marathon shocker

In a shocking turn in the DHL Aviation East Midlands Airport dispute, ITV Central News reported earlier this week that a Unite member has had his place taken away in the London Marathon by his employer because he’s involved in strike action.

Michael ‘Marathon Man’ Dallard told ITV Central News how he’d been selected in a work ballot to take part in the London Marathon. He’s been training for the marathon since December but was informed in an email by DHL Aviation only weeks before the event that he could no longer take part because of his involvement in industrial action.

Michael called the accusation by his employer that he was not dedicated to the business “a slap in the face” considering that he’s worked for more than two decades for the firm. Meanwhile, Unite regional officer Melanie Todner called the decision “disgraceful”.

Michael has since decided to run his own marathon – you can find out more in the ITV News clip below:

Michael and his colleagues have taken multiple days of strike action in February and March against DHL Aviation in an on-going pay dispute. The 180 workers who undertake ramp duties, provide aircraft handling and oversee the tower at East Midlands Airport are paid as little as £10.96 an hour.

Last year, they rejected a below-inflation pay offer, and Unite research showed in February that the workers have seen their real-terms pay systematically cut by more than 6 per cent since 2020.

While the workers toil on such low wages, DHL Aviation has been raking it in like never before, recording a £66m profit last year.

Speaking to workers on the picket line back in February, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “We will not sit back and watch your employer DHL make millions and refuse to give you a decent pay rise.

 “You went out in the pandemic. You were key workers. And still they try to short change you. They have given you a 6.3 per cent real terms cut in pay since 2020. The CEO of DHL Group got six million pounds in 2022. That’s 144 times the average wage of a DHL worker.

“Let us dispel the DHL myths here and now. This company can afford to pay. Their cries of poverty do not stack up.”

Stay tuned on UniteLive for the latest in the DHL Aviation East Midlands Airport dispute.

By Hajera Blagg