FLIGHTS from Southend Airport could be grounded as cabin crew threaten to strike over pay.

Trade union Unite, which represents more than 40 easyJet cabin crew at Southend Airport, is threatening a walk out unless the airline increase pay for staff.

The union, which will ballot members over strike action between Tuesday, July 14, and Monday, August 3, wants easyJet to raise its offered pay rise.

It pointed out the “glaring pay disparity” between the average £25,000 salary for cabin crew and the massive £6 million-plus pocketed by the chief executive Carolyn McCall.

Unite regional officer Kevin Hall said: “We would urge easyJet to drop its high-handed approach and go back into talks.

“Cabin crew have worked hard to make easyJet a success enabling the company to record pre-tax profits in excess of half a billion pounds.

“At the same time, directors’ pay has soared by over 18 per cent while the chief executive, Carolyn McCall, has seen her pay rise to more than £6 million - over 240 times more than the average cabin crew. The disparity in pay is glaring.”

A Unite spokesman confirmed a walk out would disrupt flights.

An easyJet spokeswoman said: “easyJet is disappointed that in a recent Unite ballot members voted to reject the offer however we note that the majority of easyJet’s cabin crew are not members of Unite and we estimate that only one in five of easyJet's UK cabin crew voted against the offer.

“The offer was well above inflation and above recent pay increases received by BA and Thomas Cook under agreements with Unite.

“easyJet can confirm it has now been notified of Unite's intention to ballot the minority of its crew who are union members for industrial action.

“We would urge our cabin crew not to vote in favour of industrial action and remain confident we will operate the full summer schedule.”