Holidaymakers face flights chaos

Unison says firefighters' workloads at Exeter Airport have increased

Holidaymakers flying in and out of Exeter Airport face delays and cancellations after firefighters voted for a series of strikes.

Unison members met on Tuesday to discuss details of the action, which will start on 20 July with four days of five-hour stoppages.

The 44 union firefighters want a pay rise from £18,659pa to £23,101.

Exeter-based airline Flybe criticised the action, saying they were holding holidaymakers to ransom.

Unison announced on Tuesday there will be a series of five-hour strikes, from 0700 BST to 1200 BST on 20, 22, 24 and 26 July.

We are concerned that an airport...is likely to be held to ransom at a key point of the year Mike Rutter, Flybe airlines

There will be also strikes from 0700 BST to 1800 BST on 29 and 31 July and 1 and 3 August.

The union will then review its position and if there is no deal, there will be another week of strikes from 0700 BST to 1800 BST.

By law planes cannot fly if there is no fire cover.

Unison says that recent growth has increased the workload of the airport's fire and rescue workers.

It says the pay demand would bring firefighters up to the local industrial average.

Unison spokesman Ken Terry said: "Firefighters at Exeter are paid £4,000 to £5,000 less than others in the region and it will be those people that will go in and rescue the passengers and lead them to safety.

"We hope passengers' anger is pointed at the employers who have not been prepared to meet us."

Airport for sale

Airport managers, who are offering a pay rise worth 2.4%, say they have offered to meet union members and are still hoping to avert strike action.

Mike Rutter of Flybe said: "We are concerned that an airport that is key to the hopes of holidaymakers and to the interests of the South West is likely to be held to ransom at a key point of the year.

"We urge all parties to think of the potential consequences of their action."

Buyers are being sought for the airport which is being sold by Devon County Council.