We are willing to compromise, not surrender

TGWU organiser Dave McCall

Speaking after the new strike vote, Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) regional organiser Dave McCall told BBC News Online: "Members voted unanimously to extend the action to 36 hours.

"We have told the airport we are available around the clock to meet with them to discuss the issues involved.

"We are willing to compromise, not surrender, but all we get from the airport is the line that the stoppages are not having any adverse effect on them.

"The action continues and will be stepped up until they meet us to discuss the issues involved, including proposed changes to members' conditions, and safety."

The 36-hour stoppage will run from 0400 GMT on Friday, 22 February, until 1600 GMT the following day.

The airport has contingency plans in place

A spokesman for Manchester Airport told BBC News Online: "We have contingency plans in place, and we are confident these will work well.

"We think support for the industrial actions is declining with less union members turning out.

"We want to have talks with the union.

"There will be no changes to working conditions until all discussion routes have been exhausted, including going to Acas."

Security procedures

The TGWU has said the security scare highlighted the dangers of using less-experienced staff.

But the airport says the security guard who failed to spot the items, and was later suspended, was fully trained.

The arms were taken on to a British Airways flight to Gatwick on 8 February by a company testing security procedures.

Permission had been given by British Airways with the items declared at check-in as part of the security test.

Before the 36-hour strike takes place there will be two-hour stoppages on 16, 18, and 21 February.