Workers at Teesside Airport could be going on strike later this year in a row over pay during the "crushing cost of living crisis", a union has said.
Dozens of GMB members working as air traffic controllers and fire fighters at the airport have today begun voting on industrial action.
Read more: New accounts reveal Teesside Airport lost £11.8m in the last year
The union says the workers have turned down a pay offer which amounts to a real terms pay cut.
They also claimed airport bosses have "not engaged" since the offer was rejected and workers have not recieved a pay rise for years - with the gap in pay widening for airport staff.
But airport officials said they had "engaged positively over many months" with the union, and a different union has accepted the pay offer put forward.
The ballot closes on September 28, with any industrial action likely to take place in October. The Northern Echo understands any strike action could impact up to 35 workers.
Etain Stobbart, GMB Organiser, said: “Sadly, Teesside Airport bosses have not engaged with us since GMB members rejected the offer.
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“They’ve not had a pay rise for years and are struggling to pay their bills in the midst of a crushing cost of living crisis.
"As well as being a big real terms pay cut, this offer further widened the gap in pay between those at Teesside International Airport."
A spokesperson for Teesside International Airport said: “We have engaged positively over many months with trade union representatives.
"One union has accepted this pay offer, while GMB Union has sadly rejected it and is now balloting members.
"Contingency plans are in place, including emergency cover for key operations, to prevent disruption for our passengers."
Recent accounts showed Teesside Airport lost £11.7million last year and £13.8million in the 12 months before.
The affect of the coronavirus pandemic impacted the losses, with furlough payments of 80 per cent topped up to ensure staff pay was not hugely affected.
Earlier this year, another £20m was injected into the site to help the airport's position. Officials say the new funds will cover losses, help create new jobs and aid bringing in new flights.
The airport was also granted a £10m bailout by TVCA cabinet members in July 2021 to cope with covid pressures.
A revised plan for the airport last year envisaged profits by 2025 and one million passengers within five years.
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