A winter of discontent is on the cards as Stansted baggage handlers are being balloted for strike action over pay and conditions.
Some 150 GMB union members who work for airport ground services contractor Groundstar, trading as Swissport, have rejected a 3.75 per cent pay offer and began a strike ballot yesterday.
The company provides ground services, including baggage handling for Ryanair.
GMB regional organiser Gary Pearce said the Groundstar baggage ramp workers are among the lowest paid ramp workers at Stansted, earning less than £12,500 a year.
A spokesman for Swissport UK said: "Following a period of discussion and negotiation our Stansted pay offer, which was recommended for acceptance by the Union representatives, has been accepted and paid to all of our passenger services staff.
"We are disappointed that this has been rejected by our ramp services teams, who are currently balloting as to whether to take industrial action."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Friday, October 1, 2004
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