'Check in as normal' despite Gatwick strike

Passengers using Gatwick airport were today advised to check in as normal despite another strike by baggage handlers in a long running dispute over workloads and the suspension of a union official.

Servisair, the ground handling firm which employs the workers, said contingency plans would be put in place again to deal with the 12-hour walkout from 8am.

A similar strike on Tuesday failed to disrupt flights, with a fifth of departures leaving early, said the company.

A spokesman said he was confident there would be few delays today and urged passengers to turn up as normal.

The Transport and General Workers Union claimed Servisair had spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on contingency plans during previous strikes.

“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.”

Ms Richards added: “Servisair are losing thousands of pounds every hour of a strike and if they, like us, want us to resolve this dispute they must play their part in sorting it out.

“We need constructive talks, and that means coming up with realistic proposals that address the causes of the action.”