Long-term agreements reneged on

In an unexpected move, employers Swissport and Cadbury have backed out of pre-negotiated long-term pay deals according to general unions Unite and GMB.

Swissport, which employs ground staff at Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted airports, was due to pay 2.75% in the second part of a two-year deal in April. Cadbury, the confectionery maker, had agreed a deal of RPI plus 0.5% with a minimum of 2%, but is imposing a deal of just 0.5% despite registering large profits in its half-yearly statement.

Jennie Formby, Unite national officer, said: “The workforce is angry and feels betrayed by the company.” Both unions are balloting members for industrial action.