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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Jon Robinson

Significant pay rise for thousands of Manchester Airport workers agreed

Thousands of workers at Manchester Airport are to get a significant pay rise.

More than 2,000 employees are to receive a pay boost of up to 17% over a two-year period after a deal was struck between the airport and Unite.

The workers will also get a lump sum worth up to 9.6% for the same period.

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Unite said the deal was agreed with the airport without the need for a strike ballot.

The deal covers workers including firefighters, security, engineering, airfield operations, traffic marshals and car parking.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Unite's relentless focus on the workplace continues to put more money in workers' pockets.

"The negotiations at Manchester Airport has also protected the defined benefit pension scheme for another five years.

"It's more proof that Unite is delivering on its promise to fight for jobs, pay and conditions."

The union added that additional workers on the National Minimum Wage will also benefit from the deal after a 4% increase to the employers' pension contributions over two years, as well as increases in salary on top of the NMW, was included in the agreement.

Unite regional officer John O’Neill said: "Unite was able to hammer out an excellent pay deal with Manchester Airport this summer.

"The deal has been overwhelmingly backed by the workers and the negotiations took place without the need for an industrial ballot."

Manchester Airport confirmed the pay deal includes a 6% increase to base salaries and associated core allowances followed by a 2% increase to base salaries and core allowances with effect from October 1, 2023.

It also includes a £1,250 non-consolidated one-off cash lump sum payment (pro-rated as per contracted hours) for all staff members who were employed on Friday, June 9, and have not resigned or are not under written notice to leave Manchester Airports Group.

The deal also features:

• A further 5% increase to base salaries and associated core allowances with effect from April 1, 2024

• A commitment to introduce a bonus incentive scheme, payable in line with scheme rules in 2024

• Employees have the choice to increase their pension contributions to 4% and if they do so, MAG will contribute 8% (this is an additional 2% of MAG contributions).

• With effect from 1 April 2024, employees have the choice to increase their pension contributions to 6% and if they do so, MAG will contribute 10% (this is a further additional 2% of MAG contributions).

• An extension of the enhanced pension contributions for a further five years for those employees who were in the Defined Benefit scheme when it closed.

A Manchester Airport spokesperson added: "We are pleased to have agreed a pay deal that benefits all our colleagues covered by the collective bargaining agreement at Manchester Airport.

"The pay award is over two years and includes a phased increase to base pay for all colleagues, a cash lump sum and improvements to existing pension arrangements and a further extension of the transitional arrangements for our ex-defined benefit pension scheme members.

“We are proud of our good relationship with our trade unions and this positive result for our colleagues couldn't have been achieved without the level of trust, understanding and respect we have built over a number of years.

"Our people are at the core of everything we do here at Manchester Airport and we’re absolutely committed to energising and inspiring people and continuously improving the colleague experience."

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