You are in > manchester.com  > News > Airports announce Bank Holiday baggage strike

Business

Airports announce Bank Holiday baggage strike

15/08/2008

Baggage handlers and check-in staff at Gatwick and Stansted airports are set to strike next week on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Gatwick action could be followed with further walkouts on Friday August 29th, trade union Unite said.

Unite claims 72 per cent of its 300 members at Gatwick voted in favour of the action, which is over a pay dispute.

Employer Swissport is offering workers a three per cent payrise, but staff say this is well below inflation and unacceptable. Unite is asking for a five per cent pay rise, in line with the retail price index (RPI), a measure of inflation.

Unite national officer, Steve Turner, said: "Our members are already struggling to keep up with rising food and energy costs.

"Our members have had enough; the liberalisation of ground handling services across UK airports has resulted in a race to the bottom which must and will stop.

"We will not stand back and allow labour costs to determine whether contracts are won or lost."

Gatwick owner BAA said: "BAA Gatwick is disappointed to learn that the trade union representing some Swissport employees has voted for strike action later this month.

"BAA Gatwick is working closely with the handling agent and the airlines it represents to minimise the potential impact on passengers planning to travel on the proposed strike dates."

Swissport said the strike was "disappointing". In a statement, the company said: "Swissport believes that a fair offer has been made to the unions in the light of the current economic climate and one that reflects the cost of living increase."

Union members at Manchester Airport will vote on whether to take action next week, while staff at Birmingham and Newcastle airports will also be balloted.

Unite said it expects the airports to follow Gatwick's lead.

The strike will halt all baggage handling and check-in operations across airlines including; Virgin Atlantic, Monarch, Thomson Fly, First Choice, North West, Air Malta, Air Transat, Oman Air as well as some smaller airlines.