Heathrow walkout to go ahead

Talks aimed at resolving a pay row involving baggage handlers at Heathrow airport have failed to produce a breakthrough, it emerged today.

The Transport and General Workers Union said a 48-hour walkout by workers at Swissport will go ahead next Friday.

The company said it had offered a 2.5% pay rise over the next year, subject to a restructuring of its operations.

Swissport said employee representatives would be seconded to a team drawing up the plan, which it was confident would be supported.

“The company was disappointed that the union was not prepared to recommend acceptance of the plan,” said Swissport.

A TGWU spokeswoman said: “The strike is definitely on and the workers are as determined as ever to go forward with the campaign.”

The baggage handlers, check-in staff and other Swissport employees staged a 48-hour strike last weekend which disrupted some flights at Heathrow.