Workers who assist persons with reduced mobility (PRM) at London Stansted Airport are balloting for strike action that could cause significant flight delays next month. More than 100 employees at ABM, the company contracted by Manchester Airport Group to provide PRM assistance, are voting on industrial action following a breakdown in pay negotiations.

The dispute involves staff who board disabled passengers and operate specialist vehicles, including minibuses and Ambis, which require qualifications equivalent to an HGV. Unite, the trade union, says that workers have rejected pay offers which they believe do not reflect their increasing workload or the cost of living crisis, noting that many receive less than the London Living Wage of £14.80.

“Our members are constantly expected to undertake more and more work, yet ABM is cynically failing to pay a fair wage,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham. “Our hardworking members at ABM deserve better and will have Unite’s full support during this dispute.”

If the strike goes ahead, additional time will be required to board passengers who rely on the service, potentially disrupting tight turnaround schedules common in the low-cost aviation sector. The ballot is scheduled to close on April 1, with industrial action potentially commencing from mid-April.

“We recognise that people who use PRM services while travelling will be concerned about any delays, but any industrial action is the fault of ABM, which is refusing to pay its workers a fair wage,” said Unite regional officer Steve Edwards.

“Strike action is a last resort for our members at ABM, who care about the roles they do. However, management is not taking their concerns seriously. There is still time to avoid this action, but it relies on ABM coming back to the table with a fair pay offer.”

An ABM spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Unite the Union has confirmed its intention to ballot members on strike action, particularly as the standard failure to agree process has not been followed. This risks causing unnecessary disruption for the thousands of passengers who rely on special assistance services at Stansted Airport, especially during the peak holiday season.

“Our team members play a vital role in ensuring a safe, supportive and positive travel experience for passengers with reduced mobility. We continue to negotiate in good faith with Unite the Union toward an agreement that is fair for our team members, clients and stakeholders, and remain hopeful that we can agree on a shared path forward soon”