Air travellers face more disruption at London's Heathrow airport after the country's largest aviation union said today a second 48-hour strike by baggage handlers over pay would start on November 14th.
The planned walkout by nearly 1,000 Swissport staff, who also perform some check-in duties, comes hours after their first two-day strike ended. The action forced airlines to cancel about 15 flights out of more than 1,200 during the period.
The General Workers Union's national secretary for civil aviation, Mr Brendan Gold, said the workforce at Swissport had already foregone overtime pay and covered for more than 120 vacancies at the company since it imposed a recruitment freeze.
A spokeswoman for BAA, the owner of Heathrow said Swissport, which serves more than 16 international airlines, had brought in about 70 staff to help during the first strike.
Aer Lingus also brought in extra staff during the two-day strike, the BAA spokeswoman said.
PA