Stansted strike talks break down

Baggage handlers at Stansted Airport will strike on three dates in November after talks between unions and employers broke down on Friday.

A delegation from T&G, GMB unions and Groundstar Swissport held talks in Takeley to avert a strike at the Essex airport in a dispute over pay.

Unions had asked for an extra 1% on top of the 3.75% pay offered by employers.

The GMB says the dates for the strike - which will involve about 400 workers - will be 1, 3 and 11 November.

Union members - who are employed by Groundstar - backed industrial action by 9-1 last week after a pay offer of 3.75% plus improvements to shift premiums was rejected.

A GMB spokesperson said the airport's baggage handlers were among the lowest paid with salaries of £12,500 a year.

Groundstar - which services nearly 200 flights per day for airlines which include Easyjet and Ryanair - said it had contingency plans for a strike.