Security officers at Leeds Bradford Airport have voted to strike in a pay dispute.
The GMB said airport officials have implemented discretionary and performance-related bonuses that are inaccessible to many security guards.
The union is demanding an immediate substantial increase in the hourly rate of pay for security personnel.
GMB members will step down at the end of August if a “meaningful offer” to raise their pay is not made, the union said.
The vote was more than nine to one in favor of strikes.
Rachel Dix, head of GMB, said: ‘This is a powerful result, with a very high response rate, most votes were cast in the first two days of voting, such was the strength of sentiment and the motivation of our members to ensure that they are finally heard.
“All they ask for is a salary that provides them with a decent standard of living.”
The airport (LBA) said on Thursday that the dispute involved less than a quarter of its security staff.
A statement said: “LBA has been openly and cooperatively engaged with GMB throughout the pandemic.
“However, prior to the notification of the industrial action, LBA had not received any request from GMB to enter into negotiations for further future pay increases.
“This action came without warning and without discussions with LBA.
“Since February 1, 2022, LBA has increased the total compensation of frontline security personnel by 11.1% and that of more highly qualified security personnel by 15.6%.”
Airport chief executive Vincent Hodder said: ‘We are disappointed with this cynical decision to take industrial action before asking for negotiations.
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