Baggage handlers vote to strike over pay offer

Pay talks between airport services company Aviance and trade unions led by the Transport & General Worker’s Union (T&G), scheduled for Wednesday July 7, took on an extra significance today when the T&G announced that its members have voted to strike.

The four to one vote in a dispute over the company's 2.5% offer puts pressure on the Aviance management to come up with a new offer or face a series of damaging strikes which could impact most on their flagship operations at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton.

"This is a resounding vote by our members which sends a clear signal to Aviance that they must improve on the offer," said Brendan Gold, the T&G national secretary for civil aviation. "The talks this Wednesday will now take on an added significance."

The T&G, the largest trade union at Aviance, has consistently argued for a better deal for its members who provide baggage handling, check-in and ground support services at the major UK airports. Negotiators have pointed to the increase in the company's business, especially at Heathrow, and the continuing profits rise at its parent company Go-Ahead, as meaning a realistic increase is both affordable and right. The 2.5% offer for 2004 has been contrasted with the 4.2% deal last year when, by common agreement, the aviation industry was experiencing much tougher times.

"Everyone is aware that aviation is a tough market and nobody is better placed to know that than the baggage handlers and check-in staff," added Mr. Gold. "They also know that the volume of their work is increasing as the industry gets busier passenger numbers break record levels. That being the case they know a bad deal when they see one which is why we urge Aviance to listen to their workforce and act to improve the deal on offer and so avoid a damaging dispute."

(GB)