Passengers travelling through Stansted airport may be subject to delays over the next few weeks, as the GMB union has announced seven days of strikes for ground handling staff.
The union – which represents staff employed by Swissport - says that strike notice has been given “following the breakdown of talks to resolve a dispute over rosters”.
The seven days of industrial action is scheduled to take place between the following dates:
- 0530 on May 23 until 0530 on May 24
- 0530 on May 26 until 0530 on May 28
- 0530 on June 2 until 0530 on June 6
Members had originally been set to strike over the Easter period, but the industrial action was suspended following talks (see online news April 3).
However in a statement released today (May 21), GMB Organiser Gary Pearce, said:
“GMB negotiators have been in talks to reach an agreement to resolve this issue since the agreed suspension of the strike action scheduled over Easter.
“It is a shame that Swissport made and then withdrawn (sic) a number of proposals including a return to the original four days on and two days off roster which would have settled the dispute.
"The proposals were withdrawn last Friday. GMB gave notice of further strike action last Tuesday while continuing to negotiate but without success.”
For more information visit stanstedairport.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
