Members vote for strike action at Southend Airport
Travel chaos at Southend Airport as GMB members vote to take strike action over Christmas
Both Stobart Aviation Services and Stobart Aviation can prevent the travel chaos at Southend Airport by simply agreeing to provide GMB with a formal agreement, says GMB London
GMB members in Stobart Aviation and Stobart Aviation Services at London Southend Airport have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action over Christmas in a dispute over the company’s refusal to recognise the GMB Trade Union.
The strike action relates to the failure of the company to formally recognise GMB Union for the purpose of collective bargaining and all related matters.
ACAS have arranged a meeting between GMB and Stobart Aviation to take place next week in order to find a way of preventing strike action over the Christmas period. However, GMB are still awaiting confirmation from Stobart Aviation Services regarding any meeting with them.
Gary Pearce, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“Our members at Southend Airport who work in baggage handling, security, aircraft dispatch and flight operations have been raising their concerns with management in relation to the lack of staff, lack of protective clothing insufficient training, changes to their contracts and what they are paid compared to staff in other local airports for months.
“Stobart Aviation and Stobart Aviation Services failure to accept GMB members request to formally recognise their Union for the purpose of collective bargaining and all related matters has left our members with no alternative other than to take strike action over the Christmas holiday.
“Both Stobart Aviation Services and Stobart Aviation can prevent the travel chaos at Southend Airport by simply agreeing to provide GMB with a formal agreement.”
ENDS
Contact: Gary Pearce 07850 036952 or GMB London Press Office 07970 114762
