Shutdown at Bournemouth Airport as workers set to strike over pay
Around 100 Unite members will walk out causing disruption to flights.
Last updated 22nd Aug 2025
Bournemouth Airport will come to a standstill next month as around 100 Unite members have voted to take industrial action in two separate disputes about pay.
The first involves workers in roles such as baggage handling, check-in, flight dispatching and plane fuelling. They have rejected a pay offer of five per cent for the lowest paid bringing them up to £12.27 per hour (just six pence over the national minimum wage), then 4.5 per cent for the higher paid members.
Secondly, those working in the fire service at Bournemouth Airport, part of a different union bargaining agreement, have also rejected the same offer. Both offers are linked to a two-year deal of just CPI (Consumer Price Index rate of inflation) for year two taking into account the CPI of February 2026. This is historically lower than RPI (Retail Price Index) inflation rate, which unions believe to be fairer when calculating pay rises.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "With so many workers in different roles taking action, this will be a highly disruptive strike - but it is entirely the fault of Bournemouth Airport, who is prioritising its own interests and profits over that of its hardworking staff.
“Unite will back our members all the way in their pursuit for the pay rise they deserve."
Strikes will take place from 5 to 7 September and on 13 September. Action is expected to be highly disruptive as the fire service alone walking out could shutdown the airport.
Unite regional officer Janet Wall said: "We know those looking to travel for leisure or business from Bournemouth Airport during these dates will be concerned to hear of such disruptive strikes, but our members have been left with no choice but to take action.
"The airport has failed to invest in hardworking staff by offering them a fair pay rise. They should not be struggling to afford the basics when working for a profitable, growing airport.
"Management needs to return to the negotiating table with a deal that is acceptable to our members."
In a statement, Bournemouth Airport said: "The Unite union has today informed Bournemouth Airport that their members intend to undertake industrial action.
"The dates of the proposed action are Friday 5th September to Sunday 7th September, and Sunday 14th September.
"Preparations are well underway by the airport on contingency plans to minimise any disruption on these dates.
"In the meantime, we are in ongoing negotiations with Unite and remain hopeful we can work constructively with them to reach agreement without the need for industrial action.
"Unite's ballot result, shared with the airport, showed that of the 89 Unite members at Bournemouth Airport eligible to vote, 61 (68.5%) voted in favour of strike action. This represents about 13% of Bournemouth Airport's total workforce of 450.
"Passengers due to fly on any of the planned strike days are advised to check with their airline nearer the time for the very latest information about their flight."