Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Baggage handlers add to flights misery

Alan Jones,Press Association
Wednesday 16 December 2009 15:41 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Airport baggage handlers and check-in staff are set to launch a series of 48-hour strikes next week in a row over pay, it was announced today.

Unite said workers at Heathrow and Aberdeen airports employed by SAS Ground Services will take action from December 22, with further walkouts planned on Boxing Day and January 3.

The stoppages will hit travellers on Turkish, Emirates and Thai airlines at London Heathrow and KLM, Air France, Wideroe and Atlantic at Aberdeen, said Unite.

Kevin Hall, Unite's regional industrial officer, said: "It is deeply regrettable that our members have been forced into a position where they have to threaten industrial action over the Christmas and New Year period to get this company to play fair. A strike will cause considerable disruption to the travelling public at a very busy time of year.

"We have been trying to get this company to move on a fair wage deal for months now. It is obscene that they can fill the pockets of their directors yet deny workers fair wages and a decent pension, particularly as last year the UK workforce took job losses and pay cuts to help the company through a difficult time."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in