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Stansted baggage handlers set to strike at Easter

 

Rob Williams
Friday 30 March 2012 17:28 BST
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The union said the strikes will be held on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday. The action will threatens to disrupt travellers attempting to get away for the Easter holidays.
The union said the strikes will be held on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday. The action will threatens to disrupt travellers attempting to get away for the Easter holidays.

The GMB union today announced that baggage handlers at Stansted Airport are to strike over Easter in a row over pay.

The union said the strikes will be held on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday. The action will threatens to disrupt travellers attempting to get away for the Easter holidays.

Members voted in favour of the action after the union claimed that shift changes by Swissport could lead to cuts in pay of up to £1,000.

Over a third of Swissport staff are set to take part in the action.

GMB official Gary Pearce said: “GMB members have voted overwhelmingly for strike action and for action short of a strike.

”Up to now the company has been intent on imposing these changes without agreement and this is completely unacceptable, as this vote shows.

“GMB has offered several alternative shift patterns and working arrangements but the company refuses to listen so far.

”I have notified Swissport of the ballot result and I have asked them for more talks to try to avert action over these pay cuts.

“GMB members consider that Swissport is attempting to make savings at their expense and they are not willing to agree to this.

”Unless there is urgent talks and a settlement, this vote for action this will result in disruption over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

“The travelling public need to be aware that it has been this aggressive move by Swissport to cut our members pay at a time of high inflation that has led to this strike vote.

"If the strike goes ahead, Swissport is entirely to blame for the disruption."

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