MORE than 550 workers at Birmingham Airport will not get a pay rise – despite profits of £5.28 million last year.

Unions who tabled a 4.6 per cent claim for 2011 have been rebuffed in talks to win a salary increase for their members.

A consultative ballot resulted in an overwhelming rejection of the airport stance by 109 votes to 14 in a 50 per cent turnout. Around 580 people, including non union members, face a pay standstill.

Workers have not had a rise agreed since February 2009 and unions say the airport has given no guarantee of any extra money for February 2012.

Earlier this summer, the airport announced after-tax profits of £5.28 million for 2010, representing an eightfold rise.

The increase followed cost-cutting which saw its workforce shrink by 75.

Unite regional official John Partridge said: “Our members have not had a rise since February 2009. February 2010 was the depths of the recession.