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Liverpool airport workers vote for strike action

14th August 2009 According to a report on the BBC, baggage handlers at Liverpool John Lennon airport have voted to go on strike from 20 August.

About 150 ServisAir staff are to stage the continuous action from 20 August, affecting flights by Ryanair, KLM, Wizzair, Flybe and Thomson.

The GMB union says ServisAir intends to force 51 staff to reapply for 27 jobs.

A spokesman for ServisAir said the company was "disappointed", but said it would ensure there was minimum disruption for passengers.

Senior union organiser Terry Mellor said: "GMB members are angry and have voted overwhelmingly to take action to get these compulsory redundancies withdrawn.

"It will involve all GMB members employed as baggage handlers and other apron staff at the airport."

An Airport spokesperson said, "We can understand that passengers may be concerned over reports in the media suggesting that industrial action could begin next week. Obviously the outcome of the ballot and any possible industrial action is primarily a matter between the trade union and Servisair, but we do want to make it clear to our customers that Servisair have assured us that any action which may arise will not affect those flights for which they provide handling services.

"Obviously we will endeavour to keep passengers informed as the situation develops but the advice is that anyone travelling from the airport should check in as normal."

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