Baggage handlers to strike in Gatwick

Hundreds of baggage handlers at Gatwick airport will stage another strike today in a dispute over workloads and the suspension of a union official, with further walkouts being planned.

Members of the Transport and General Workers Union will stop work for 12 hours from 8am, forcing managers and other staff to deal with passengers’ luggage.

The union claimed that Servisair had spent £500,000 (€723,000) on contingency plans during two previous strikes last month.

“The T&G is determined to get a settlement to this dispute,” said regional officer Madeleine Richards. “But the only way we feel we can bring Servisair back to the negotiating table and to get them to talk constructively is to continue to show them they are out of step with their workforce.

“This is a costly dispute for Servisair as they ignore their clients elsewhere to bring managers in on strike days. The support from our members remains strong and committed to taking more strike action if that is necessary.”

Servisair said it would put in place the same contingency plans which had kept disruption to a minimum during two recent one-day strikes at Gatwick.

The company, one of four ground services firms at the airport, said passengers should turn up as normal for their flights.

The baggage handlers will also strike for 12 hours on Friday.