Major airlines would be hit by the strike

About 1,000 members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) are expected to walkout on 2 November over pay.

The union said on Friday that the Swissport UK and Swissport Cargo workers had not been given a pay rise for 18 months.

Talks will be held on Wednesday to try to resolve the dispute after more than nine out of 10 workers backed industrial action in a ballot.

Union officials said major airlines including Aer Lingus, El Al, Malaysian and Singapore would be hit by the strike.

The workers provide a range of support services on the ground including baggage handling, cargo loading, check-in and customer service.

TGWU's regional industrial organiser Kevin Hall said: "The cargo and support staff at Swissport, who keep the various airlines going, are vital to the airport.

"They have worked hard, they have worked efficiently and they have shown great patience in spite of the companies failing to address their concerns.

"They have sat through endless meetings and heard all manner of reasons for not paying them a penny more without strings attached."