Some 500 union members have voted three to one in favour of strike action to secure an improved pay offer from employers Swissport.

The GMB union predicted flights at the airport would be "severely disrupted" because of the walkouts.

Swissport hopes to meet representatives of all staff to resolve the dispute.

'Unacceptable' strings

A company statement said: "Swissport, as a responsible organisation, believes that the travelling public have faced enough disruption and suffered enough difficulty throughout the past week with the security threats.

"They have therefore called on the GMB and the TGWU to join them with the conciliation service ACAS to try to find a quick and agreeable resolution to this dispute."

GMB said it regretted having to take strike action and was willing to meet with Swissport to find a resolution.

The GMB said it submitted a pay claim in April, including calls for a premium rate for Sunday working, in addition to a "substantial" pay review.

Contingency plans

Swissport had not met the claim for Sunday premiums and the pay offer included "unacceptable" strings attached, GMB added.

GMB officer Gary Pearce said: "Our members at Stansted deeply regret having to take this type of action but because of the company's action have been left with no alternative.

"We urge Swissport to reconsider their offer. The GMB are willing to meet with the company in an effort to resolve this dispute," he added.

Ryanair, EasyJet and a number of holiday charter airlines will be affected by the strikes, GMB said.

Stansted Airport said it was talking with airlines to discuss contingency plans.

The strike action will start at 0500 BST on 26 August, until 0800 BST the next day, and again from 0500 BST on August Bank Holiday Monday until 0800 BST the following day.