Airport women win trouser trial

Women working at Stansted Airport have won their battle to wear trousers at work after complaining that meeting a plane on a cold morning could be "very unpleasant".

A petition was handed in on Wednesday by the GMB union on behalf of 150 workers at the Essex airport.

It warned they might take more direct action if their request was rejected.

On Friday a union spokesman said Groundstar, the company which employs the women, had agreed to a trouser trial.

The women would choose a style from a range of trousers over the next few weeks.

GMB organiser Gary Pearce said: "We don't see the need for a trial period but the GMB is pleased that Groundstar have seen the sense of supplying a choice of trousers and skirts to our women members."

He said meeting a plane on a cold morning in a skirt could be " very unpleasant job".

The women work in the check-in department and meet passengers off coming off planes for a ground service contractor at the airport.

The GMB fought a successful campaign three years ago on behalf of two women who were suspended by Eurostar for refusing to wear uniform skirts.