Baggage handlers vote to walk out

Baggage handlers at Southampton Airport have voted for three days of industrial action over pay.

Members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) have voted to walk out on Tuesday, 5 August, and on the following Friday and Monday.

The workers, who are employed by Aviance, are demanding pay parity with other staff employed by the company.

Aviance's bosses say disruption will be kept to a minimum and flights will continue as normal.

The TGWU members at Southampton feel very strongly that they are undervalued and over-stretched Union spokesman

A spokesman said earlier: "Our immediate priority is for the travelling public and the company is currently considering contingency plans to help reduce the impact of this action."

Aviance said it was "extremely concerned" that the union had held a ballot before any substantive discussions could be held.

A spokesman for the TGWU said there was a long-running dispute about the differences in pay and conditions between staff at Southampton and other airports where ground activities such as baggage handling were managed by Aviance.

He said: "The TGWU members at Southampton feel very strongly that they are under valued and over-stretched.

"Aviance refuses to acknowledge the contribution our members have made to the success of the Southampton Airport operation.

"We regret having to take this action, especially the effect it will have on the public, but we are hopeful that negotiations will reach an agreement."