Workers employed by GH London Ground Handling at Luton are being balloted on strike action in a dispute over payment of a £500 recruitment and retention bonus, which the Unite union says has been delayed until February 2023.

The ballot closes on 1 November so a successful vote would give the union scope to call strikes in the period leading up to Christmas, a potential headache for Luton-headquartered Wizz Air.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said any further delay to the payment would be "out of order" given the cost of living crisis gripping the UK. "Our members need every penny of their earnings," she said.

"The retention payment needs to be introduced now, not in four months’ time. Unite’s members have their union’s total support in this dispute."

Unite tabled an emergency pay claim in July after agreeing a 6% pay rise and £500 retention payment back in January. GH, Unite says, has agreed to an extra 5% pay increase and another £500 retention payment but insists it will withhold this until February 2023.

The union alleges members’ health and safety is being compromised owing to under-staffing and the additional hours they’re having to work, with regional officer Jeff Hodge stating it amounts to a safety risk.

"The company must bring forward the introduction of the recruitment and retention payment because it desperately needs to attract and keep staff," Hodge added.

TTG has attempted to approach GH for comment.