Travellers face fresh threat of Birmingham airport strike disruption

The Unite union, which represents refueller drivers and operators employed by ground handler Menzies Aviation at the airport, said these workers will start “indefinite” strike action on 15 August.

Unite warned that the industrial action would lead to airlines such as Tui, easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Lufthansa and Emirates having to cancel flights from Birmingham as the workers refuel more than 75% of aircraft at the airport. Although the airport has downplayed the likelihood of cancellations.

Sulinder Singh, Unite’s regional officer, said: “Holidaymakers 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.”

The bad news for travellers comes after 150 Birmingham airport security officers and terminal technicians called off a separate strike, which had been due to start this week, after they accepted their own pay offer.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said of the strike by refuelling workers: “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.”

A spokesperson for the 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.”