Strike action could affect Bank Holiday travellers

They have rejected a 3% pay offer from handling agents Groundstar, because staff at Stanstead were offered 7.5%.

Groundstar says staff at Stansted have been offered more money as they deal with more flights and workers live in a more expensive area.

A strike at Tyneside could bring delays to holidaymakers.

The result of the ballot should be known on 11 August.

A series of two day strikes are likely to follow any "yes" vote and it could hit passengers travelling over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

But Groundstar - who employ baggage handlers and check-in staff for several major airlines - have played down the threat.

Industrial action

The Transport and General Workers Union (TWGU) are due to send out ballot papers to their 170 members on Friday.

Regional industrial officer Graham Eastwood told BBC News Online: "This is totally to do with ground staff, such as check-in desk, cleaners, dispatchers, traffic controllers.

"The 3% final offer has been rejected by members, who are being balloted for industrial action.

"Papers from the Electoral Reform Society should be on people's doorsteps by Friday."

He said there were 150 union members being balloted, out of a workforce of about 170.

But a spokesman for Groundstar said the situation was in "very early days" and urged people not to worry.

Postal vote

He said: "Groundstar have made their annual pay offer which is 3% on basic salary and shift payments.

"Because of the current climate in the global airline industry, it was generally felt to be a reasonable offer and the TWGU recommended that their workers accept it."

"We have 262 employers, of which a percentage are members of the TWGU.

"Only 52 of the 68 members who voted said 'no' to the offer, but as a result, the TWGU have had to put it out to a postal vote."

The spokesman added that if a strike did go ahead then it may cause some delays for passengers.