Bournemouth airport strikes called off after improved pay offer
Unite the union said staff will now get a pay rise over the next two years including extra pay for early shifts
Last updated 9th Oct 2025
Strikes at Bournemouth airport have been called off after workers accepted an improved pay offer from the employer.
Around 80 members of Unite, who work in areas including baggage handling, check-in, flight dispatching and plane fuelling were due to walk out in a dispute over pay this month.
However, Unite the union said today (October 9) that the strikes will now not go ahead after workers voted to accept a better two year pay deal.
It will see workers receive in year one a 4.5 per cent salary uplift, plus a £1 per hour enhancement for workers classed as front of house staff, such as security and check in, for hours worked between 03:00 and 06:00 backdated to 1 April.
In year two they will receive a pay rise of inflation plus 0.5 per cent, or 3.1 per cent, based on whichever is the greater based on the inflation rate on January 2026. This will be paid on 1 April 2026.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is a great win, which only came about as Unite members stuck together in their fight for better pay. It always pays to be a member of Unite."
Workers at the airport had struggled to afford essentials following years of low pay, but believe this improved offer goes a way to addressing this.
Unite regional officer Janet Wall said: "We are very pleased with this win, which has averted highly disruptive strike action. Workers at Bournemouth now are on the way to having the fair pay they deserve for their hard work.
"Any worker looking for improvements to their pay should join Unite and encourage colleagues to do the same. There is power in a union."