Manchester Airport workers offered £20 and overtime to drop break to tackle 'busy afternoon'

Manchester Airport workers were offered a '£20 incentive' to miss their breaks during a shift over what has been another busy weekend. It came as passengers reported up to two hours to collect their luggage as the airport continued to gripple with staffing shortages.

An employee who contacted the M.E.N said the email came from 'Resource Planning' and warned of a busy afternoon in Terminal 1 on Sunday (March 27). The message appeared to offer colleagues working with a scheduled break between 1pm and 7pm a £20 payment and 1.5 rate overtime to forgo their break.

The employee, who asked to remain anonymous, then said this message was sent as the summer schedule starts with flights much more frequently. The Manchester Evening News understands the incentive was offered in a bid to reduce waiting times for flyers as the airport continues to see an increase in passengers following a surge in international travel.

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The airport also confirmed that as well as seeing a spike in passenger numbers, they have faced staffing shortages including a rise in covid-related sickness in 'recent days'. In the message, seen by the Manchester Evening News , staff members appeared to be offered a 'payment of £20 and 1.5 rate overtime' if they worked through their break.

It followed: "If you would like to take up this opportunity, please reply to this email so your details can be passed to the Security Team Managers." A spokesperson for the airport responded, acknowledging the recent queues for passengers amid a spike in Covid-related sickness.

They said: “We want to apologise to all customers who have been impacted by queues at Manchester