Strike action at London Stansted Airport to proceed over May bank holiday as ABM defends pay offer and outlines contingency plans to maintain operations

[Updated 24/04/2026]

London Stansted Airport (STN) is set to face disruption next month after passenger assistance workers employed by ABM confirmed strike action will proceed following the rejection of a revised pay offer.

More than 100 workers, represented by Unite the Union, are due to walk out between 3 May and 6 May, coinciding with the May bank holiday weekend. The workers provide essential support for passengers with reduced mobility.

Stansted Airport strike ABM response highlights operational contingency plans

The action follows earlier negotiations, during which planned April strikes were suspended to allow workers to vote on an improved offer. Unite has since confirmed that the revised proposal was rejected, citing concerns over low pay and increasing workloads.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “ABM staff do a vital job for passengers at the airport, yet they are struggling with low pay while their employer makes huge profits.”

In response, ABM defended its position, stating that the rejected offer “significantly exceeds the current rate of inflation” and fell short of acceptance by only two percentage points in the staff vote.

The company added that it has put comprehensive contingency measures in place to maintain operations during the strike period.

An ABM spokesperson said: “Through comprehensive contingency planning, we will continue delivering services throughout this period with all roles covered, and additional operational and management support in place.”

ABM also noted that Stansted Airport does not fall within the London Living Wage catchment area and said increased demand for assisted travel services has been matched by higher staffing levels.

Despite this, the union maintains that pay levels do not reflect workload demands, particularly as passenger numbers continue to rise.

The planned strike is expected to impact passenger assistance services, with potential delays for travellers requiring additional support, although the scale of disruption remains uncertain.

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