The ballot will open on the 11th of February closing on the 1st of March.

If members back industrial action the unions’ intention would be for a series of one day strikes commencing from the 1st of April and throughout the summer.

Prospect will also be asking members to vote on whether they wish to take action short of a strike. This could include:

• Instruction to work to rosters
• Overtime ban
• Refusal of extensions to airport opening hours for non-medical flights
• Withdrawal of goodwill

David Avery, Prospect negotiations officer, said:

“Members do not wish to take this action but have been forced into this position by the refusal of ministers to engage with the issue of air traffic controllers’ pay.“