Leeds Bradford Airport workers to strike 16–18 October over pay

Mixed · 2Around 130 Unite members at Leeds Bradford Airport will strike from Friday 16 October to Sunday 18 October in a dispute over pay. 1 2 Mixed · 2Hourly paid staff will walk out at 03:00 on 16 October and air traffic control workers at 06:00 that day; both groups stay out until 06:00 on 18 October. 1 2 Mixed · 2The strikers include air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners. 1 2

Mixed · 2Both outlets report that the airport will shut, because no flights could operate without air traffic control, nobody could pass through passport control, and no one would be in the terminal to help passengers. 1 2 Mixed · 2Unite says the workers have recently come out of a four-year pay deal, that some departments have fallen behind other airports in equivalent roles, and that pay talks since December 2025 have produced a formal offer that does not address the lack of pay parity. 1 2 Mixed · 2Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the airport is very profitable and can afford a better offer, and that members should not be paid less than people doing the same jobs elsewhere. Regional officer Neil Whitaker said members "have no choice but to strike" and that management must return to the table. 1 2

Right · 1The airport said it respects the right to lawful industrial action but is disappointed and does not think striking is the right way to resolve the issues. It called its offer "fair and responsible" and significantly above inflation, said it wants continued talks, and said profits are reinvested in the airport. 2 Mixed · 2Unite cites turnover of £61.5m for the year to 31 March 2025, up 14% from £54m. The airport has since reported a record £62.8m turnover and 4.45 million customers for the year to 31 March 2026. 1 2 Mixed · 2In May, Spanish company AENA took a 51% majority stake in the airport as part of a £270 million holding company deal. 1 2