Ground handlers vote for week-long strike action at Luton Airport
Baggage handlers and check-in staff at Luton Airport have voted for seven days of strike action.
Staff employed by GH London Ground Handling Services (formerly known as Azzurra Ground Handling) are taking action over the company’s decision to impose a pay freeze.
GH London provides ground-handling services to Wizz Air, the low-cost airline serving mainly Central and Eastern Europe with around 42 routes from Luton.
The strike will start on Sunday March 3 at 6pm. According to Unite, 96% of workers who took part in the ballot voted in favour of strike action.
There is a glimmer of hope the strike could be called off as the company has said it will talk.
Unite said it hopes the meeting ‘will be constructive and meaningful’ adding it has been asking for talks for a year.
Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge said: "Unite has been calling for meaningful talks with GH London since the beginning of 2018.
"This strike vote is a result of the company’s failure to listen to its workforce who face a cut in their living standards. Now that the company is prepared to meet, we hope we can get constructive talks underway to resolve this dispute.
"Luton Airport is one of the busiest airports in the UK. A strike by baggage handlers and check-in staff will cause considerable disruption to flights.
"It is time for GH London to recognise the contribution workers make by increasing pay so they can keep up with the rising cost of living."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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