Parking workers at Luton airport will walk out on Friday 28 July and again on Tuesday 1 August. The Unite union said workers employed by APCOA Parking UK at Luton said a below inflation 6% pay deal would amount to a real terms pay cut.

It is urging the company to come back to the table, or risk a strike it says will disrupt access to the airport and its terminal. Unite said the strike would "inevitably" result in delays for passengers and staff using the car parks and terminal at Luton.

Workers poised to strike include valet parking attendants and bus drivers operating shuttle services between the car parks and the terminal. The action on both 28 July and 1 August will get under way at 6.30am and run through to 6.29am the following day.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers at Luton airport won’t accept a pay cut dressed up as a pay rise. At a time when prices are going through the roof, APCOA need to negotiate with Unite rather than imposing a real terms pay cut."

Regional officer Jeff Hodge added that with union officials set to meet APCOA next week, there was still time to reach an agreement. “Strike action will inevitably cause disruption to staff and passengers moving between the car park and the airport," he said.

An APCOA spokesperson said: “APCOA are due to meet Unite next week when we hope to resolve this matter satisfactorily for all parties involved."