BA strike may lead to travel chaos

THE British Airways’ pay dispute escalated yesterday when thousands more workers including baggage handlers voted to strike, threatening travel chaos for tens of thousands of British holidaymakers.

The Transport and General Workers Union said its members will stage a 24-hour walkout on August 27, bringing the prospect of huge disruption.

The union said that 66% of its members working in BA’s check-in, sales, and administrative departments voted in favour of a strike while 84% of baggage handlers and other ground staff backed industrial action.

TGWU chief negotiator Brendan Gold said the turnout in the ballot was over 60%, which showed how strongly workers felt about pay.

The strike will hit Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow and will run from 4.30am on August 27.

Mr Gold said an offer of an extra £1,000 linked to reductions in sickness absence was “a step in the right direction,” but “BA need to recognise they have to deal with the pay issue before they tackle other complex issues.”