‘Festive pay boost’

Hundreds of cleaners at Manchester Airport have called off industrial action having secured an extra 50p an hour or around an extra ÂŁ850 a year, plus double time for working over Christmas and New Year.

The deal ensures workers who were on the minimum wage will maintain the 50p differential even if the minimum wage increases next year. During the negotiations the company also committed to more pay talks in January 2018 and to explore the possibility of a night premium for the cleaners at the airport.

100 per cent of workers who took part in the ballot had voted for strike action back in September. The cleaners who are employed by Mitie Cleaning and Environmental Services were due to begin strike action on November 3.

“Cleaners at Manchester airport have called off industrial action after negotiations delivered a much improved pay deal from Mitie,” said Unite regional officer Jimmy Carter.

“The extra money will help workers with the basics like food, bills and rent plus there is a commitment for more pay talks in the New Year. Keeping Britain’s third busiest airport clean is hard work and double pay for those working over Christmas and the New Year is an extra boost for the festive season.”

Mitie employs around 200 cleaners at the airport.