Baggage Handlers vote to strike
From Sky news:
Baggage Strike Hits 17 Airports
Baggage handlers at 17 airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, have voted to strike in a dispute over pay, threatening chaos to summer flights. Transport and General Workers Union members, employed by services group Aviance, overwhelmingly backed walkouts in protest at a 2.5% offer.The union, which has members at 17 airports across the UK, said talks will be held with the company on Wednesday in a bid to avert stoppages.
Workers voted by 658 to 163 in favour of strikes, a majority of 4-1. Industrial action short of a strike was supported by 85% of those who voted.
TGWU national officer Brendan Gold said: "This is a resounding vote by our members which sends a clear signal to Aviance that they must improve on the offer.
"The talks this Wednesday will now take on an added significance. Everyone is aware that aviation is a tough market and nobody is better placed to know that than the baggage handlers and check-in staff.
"They also know that the volume of their work is increasing as the industry gets busier and passenger numbers break record levels.
"That being the case, they know a bad deal when they see one, which is why we urge Aviance to listen to their workforce and act to improve the deal on offer and so avoid a damaging dispute."
Aviance operations are at Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, Jersey, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Stansted, Southampton and Teesside airports.