Stansted baggage handlers set to strike over Easter weekend
PASSENGERS using Stansted airport may face travel chaos over the Easter period after baggage handlers voted to press ahead with strike action next weekend.
Around 150 employees of Swissport – who provide luggage services to airlines including Ryanair, Monarch and Thomas Cook – are set to strike for four hours on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday in a move that could affect holidaymakers hoping to get away over the bank holiday weekend.
Despite this Swissport said the airport will be open as normal and travellers should not change their plans.
Workers are in a dispute over new shift patterns that they claim could reduce earnings by around £1,000 per year.
Gary Pearce of the GMB union, said: “Up to now the company has been intent on imposing these changes without agreement and this is completely unacceptable as the vote shows.”
Ryanair said that it would maintain a full service but may restrict passengers to hand luggage if necessary.