Luton Airport workers vote in favour of strikes over the bank holiday weekend

Brits hoping to make the most of the bank holiday with a long weekend abroad could see their travel plans thrown into chaos.

That’s because London Luton airport workers have voted in favour of strikes over ‘paltry’ pay and zero hours’ contracts – and the disruptions are planned over the next May bank holiday weekend .

The ballot result means that there could be severe disruptions including cancellations and delays to Luton Airport’s operations between 7.00am on Friday 25 May through to 6.30 am on Wednesday 30 May.

Unite, the union behind the vote, is urging employers to return to the negotiating table in a bid to avoid disrupting passengers’ journeys but at the time of writing there has not yet been confirmation as to whether these talks will take place.

The union held a series of ballots regarding potential industrial action across a host of organisations.

For example, it balloted members at Menzies Aviation, where 92% of workers employed there voted in favour of strikes.

Meanwhile, 63% of workers employed by Luton Airpotr, outside of security and the fire department, also voted in favour. (86% of security and 64% of fire department workers also voted in favour).

It could mean travel chaos for Brits as Luton is served by plenty of airlines, most notably easyJet which has a base there .

Meanwhile other budget airlines including Ryanair, Thomas Cook Airlines, TUI/First Choice, Vueling and Wizz Air all offer routes from the London-based airport.

Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge said: "London Luton Airport now faces severe disruption unless management get around the table and negotiate a fair deal which recognises the contribution workers make.

"Turnover at Luton airport is up, company profits are up and passenger numbers are up. This April alone saw passenger numbers growing to 1.3 million people.

"That’s the 15 consecutive month of over a million passengers passing through the airport. Workers at Luton airport deserve a decent rate of pay for their work and to be treated fairly by management.

"These ballot results demonstrate that members will no longer accept paltry pay and unfair treatment while their bosses constantly squeeze every last penny to boost profits."

Mirror Online has contacted a representative for Luton Airport.

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