Groundstar staff deal with baggage and check-in

More than 150 check-in and baggage handling staff who work for Groundstar, are angry they are paid less than colleagues at Stansted.

Ballot papers were sent to staff at the airport, following the breakdown of talks with management.

The airport says it has already made contingency plans to ensure disruption and delays to passengers are kept to a minimum.

Groundstar workers, members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU), rejected a 3% pay offer, because staff at Stansted were offered 7.5%.

Groundstar says staff at Stansted were offered more money as they deal with more flights and workers live in a more expensive area of the country.

A union spokesman said 91% of members voted in favour of strike action, coupled with a ban on overtime.

He added: "It is not our intention to inconvenience the passengers.

Strike action could affect Bank Holiday travellers

"We want to make sure the jobs they do at the airport - not just loading and unloading but clearing the aircraft and getting them turned round - so people can get away for their holidays will continue.

"Hopefully on Thursday we will resolve this."

The first strike is due to take place on 22 and 23 August, with subsequent action taking place a week later.

Further talks over the dispute are planned for Thursday.

David Laws, head of operations at Newcastle Airport, said: "Despite the outcome of the ballot, we are pleased that Groundstar and the union are continuing talks, with the aim of resolving the dispute prior to any industrial action.

"We would like to reassure passengers that whatever the outcome of these negotiations, we have appropriate contingency plans in place to ensure that the airport remains fully operational as normal.

"If industrial action were to go ahead, we would work closely with both Groundstar and our other handling agent on-site to ensure that passengers are unaffected.

"Customers should not be concerned about travel plans to or from the Airport in the coming weeks."