Airport strikes to disrupt holiday

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Gatwick and Stansted are set to be hit by strikes on August 25 and again on August 29 in a dispute over pay which could spread to Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle airports.

Workers employed by Swissport have rejected a "paltry" 3% pay offer which unions complained was well below the rate of inflation. The company was also accused of removing sick pay for the first three days of any absence due to illness, including industrial injury.

Members of Unite at Gatwick and Stansted will take part in the strike, while GMB members at Stansted will also walk out on the same days.

Unite will announce a ballot result among its Swissport members at Manchester airport next week and said workers in Birmingham and Newcastle airports will also be balloted for strike action over pay.

National officer Steve Turner said: "This pay offer is an insult to professional, hard working men and women who have to operate in extremely difficult conditions. We will not stand back and allow labour costs to determine whether contracts are won or lost."

A spokesman for Swissport said: "Swissport is aware of the disappointing news that a small number of union members have voted for strike action at Gatwick airport. Swissport is working with the airport operator and the customer airlines to minimise disruption to the travelling public."

The GMB said its members at Stansted will also strike on August 25 and 29 after voting by 9-1 in favour of industrial action. The union said the anniversary date for a pay rise was April, but the current offer would run from July.

Workers involved in the dispute handle baggage and check-in arrangements for Ryanair and easyJet at Stansted.

More than 30 GMB members who screen luggage at Stansted will also strike on Bank Holiday Monday in a separate dispute over pay after rejecting a 1.5% pay offer.