Air traffic controllers vote for industrial action

Air traffic control workers at a city's airport have voted in favour of industrial action over pay and conditions.

The staff who work in the tower at Norwich Airport will take industrial action "short of a strike" from 17 August, which will include working to contract and withdrawal of goodwill.

Union Prospect said staff were being paid "significantly less" and demanded they be given a 10% pay rise to bring them in line with the UK market rate.

David Avery, Prospect's national secretary, said: "We don't want to take this industrial action, especially at a time when it will impact people's holidays, but we have been left with no choice."

Prospect said with staff refusing to work overtime, it would result in the closure of the airport due to inadequate staffing levels.

Members are also said to be demanding improved maternity and paternity leave, with the union asking for four months' full pay, four months' half pay and four months' statutory maternity leave and one month full-paid paternity leave.

Avery said: "Norwich Airport is only able to operate because of the goodwill of its air traffic control staff. The airport's continuing refusal to countenance bringing pay and parental leave in line with the market means that that goodwill has evaporated.

"All members want is to be treated the same as their counterparts elsewhere in the country."

A spokesman for Norwich Airport said: "Discussions are continuing, and we are firmly committed to resolving this dispute through constructive dialogue that avoids disruption to airport operations."

A Prospect spokesperson was not able to clarify how many staff would be involved in the industrial action.

The union said decisions on possible strike action would be decided in due course.

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