Security staff at Manchester airport threaten to strike - will your holiday be affected?

MANCHESTER airport could face strikes from security staff as workers continue to argue with bosses about their rosters.

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Manchester airport security staff to strike following disputes over rosters (Image: Getty Images)

Manchester airport travellers could see their holiday plans disrupted as security staff at the hub threaten strike action.

The workers are demanding better rosters and superior work-life balance.

Discussion continues to be underway this week, with trade union Union meeting to further debate the ongoing problems.

Unite says that airport security staff are deeply unhappy with new rosters.

They claim the airport make staff work more days, including weekends.

The new roster affects 1,200 security workers, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Manchester airport security staff to strike following disputes over rosters

Unite says staff are struggling to take breaks due to the pressure of the job and under-staffing, writes the local paper.

The union revealed earlier this month that a legal industrial ballot is being prepared.

If the security staff strike goes ahead, the travel plans of hundreds of passengers could be affected.

Lawrence Chapple-Gill, regional co-ordinating officer for Unite, told the Manchester Evening News: “We are engrossed in talks with the company to try and make improvements to the rosters. No improvements have been made so far.

“I’m not ruling out strike action because we are still involved in talks and they could break down.

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Manchester airport: Unite says that airport security staff are deeply unhappy with new rosters (Image: Getty Images)

“We are trying to find a resolution to satisfy our members’ work-life balance and the airport’s need to run at the busiest time of the year, which we do understand.”

Manchester airport was asked by Unite to postpone the roster while discussions went ahead but Unite says this didn’t happen.

A spokesman from Manchester airport explained to the Express.co.uk that they review their rosters twice a year: “This has involved detailed engagement with our 1,230 team members through working groups and regular communications to our colleagues and trade unions, to explain the reasons for carrying out the review and try to understand the things they would like us to consider during the process.

  “That has enabled us to develop a roster system that will convert 130 part-time roles into full-time positions, provide more certainty to colleagues by reducing the percentage of the workforce on annualised hours from 25% to 12% and increase the number of shift patterns that give people three consecutive days off.

 “We have been able to accommodate many of the issues raised by colleagues and union representatives which was achieved through active engagement at our regular roster working groups.

 “We believe the new rosters deliver a number of benefits to a large proportion of our workforce, at the same time as giving the best possible airport experience to our 28m passengers.

The spokesman added:“We continue to have productive dialogue with Unite in relation to our proposed Summer rosters, with both parties focussed on finding a resolution. To respect the ongoing process, we have agreed to provide no further comment at this stage.”

Plane struck by lightning taking off from Manchester airport

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Manchester airport: If the industrial action takes place it would be the first strike since 2002 (Image: Getty Images)

If the industrial action takes place it would be the first strike since 2002.

Last year government statistics showed that passengers at Manchester Airport were the ‘unhappiest in the country’ with their security experience.

In another blow for the northwest airport, it was shown to the be the worst hub in the UK for accessibility, according to a survey from the Civil Aviation Authority. 

Manchester airport introduced drop-off charges this month in order to ease congestion. Anyone wanting to arrive directly will have to pay a £3 fee for five minutes or £4 for 10 minutes.

There is still a free option, however, for those looking to save money. A dedicated drop-off site is under 10 minutes drive away from where passengers will be able to board a free shuttle service to their terminal of choice, which was introduced in March.

Manchester airport is hoping this new measure will help ease growing levels of congestion on the airport campus by reducing the number of cars entering the busiest areas of the site.

Express.co.uk has contacted Unite for comment.

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