Gatwick baggage handlers’ weekend walkout

Nearly
600 Gatwick
Airport
baggage handlers and maintenance workers have voted to strike on Saturday in a
row over workloads.

Transport
& General Workers Union (T&G) members employed by Servisair – the second largest ground handler at
Gatwick – will also walk out on 30 September if no agreement is reached.

The
dispute is also said to be over the "victimisation" of a union
steward.

The
action comes as staff working for a
refuelling company at Heathrow go on a 48-hour strike from
Friday.

Union
officials are meeting on Wednesday to consider their options in the Gatwick
dispute and hope to resume talks with the company.

The
union said industrial relations between workers and their employers at Servisair had been strained over
the summer due to "increased working pressure" on baggage and cargo
handlers, loaders and maintenance staff.

The
strike will affect the baggage, aircraft loading and cargo warehouse
operations, but plans are in place to minimise disruption, Servisair said.

Gatwick
Airport
operator BAA said it was working with Servisair
to assess the impact of the strike.

By Daniel Thomas

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