Resolve dispute call

Members of Unite have accepted an inflation busting 6.5 per cent pay increase over two years (3.25 per cent a year). The union has also confirmed it has accepted an offer to take part in negotiations over outstanding conditions for Menzies Aviation workers, operating at Heathrow Terminal 2.

Unite is the largest union at the company and has in excess of 600 members employed in baggage handling, cargo and refuelling.

As part of the pay deal Unite has also secured agreement that outstanding issues concerning sick pay, holiday pay and skills’ payments, which do not affect the entire workforce, will be thoroughly discussed in separate workshops.

However, Unite is concerned that the resolution of the outstanding matters will be delayed as another smaller union at Menzies, has rejected the pay deal and was invited to negotiations at conciliation service Acas. As those talks could potentially affect Unite members, it was also invited.

As a result, the other union has refused to attend the Acas negotiations and will instead ballot its members for industrial action.

“Unite is keen to assist in resolving this dispute as quickly and smoothly as possible,” said Unite regional officer Kevin Halls.

“We have achieved an excellent inflation busting pay deal on behalf of our members and also secured agreement about a longer term strategy to deal with complicated issues relating to employee conditions,” he added.

“We hope there will not be a delay in the unions and Menzies in resolving the outstanding matters regarding the terms and conditions of the workforce, and trust this can be resolved jointly with the other union.”