Stansted talks collapse

Discussions between baggage handlers at Stansted and their employers have collapsed and no venue has been scheduled for talks to reconvene.

Workers are threatening to strike over the bank holiday weekend unless disagreements over pay and hours are resolved.

GMB and the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) accuse Swissport, the company that provides Stansted ground services, of dithering and causing the collapse.

Gary Pearce, GMB organiser said "GMB is still waiting for Swissport to advise us of the venue for the talks that GMB hopes will avert the bank holiday strikes."

The strikes are scheduled for 05.00 BST Saturday August 26th to 08.00 Sunday August 27 th and 05.00 Monday August 28 th to 08.00 Tuesday August 29th.

The dispute involves a request tabled by the GMB over Sunday pay and an overall pay increase.

The union stated: "GMB submitted a pay claim for 500 members in April 2006. One item in the claim was for a premium rate for Sunday working in addition to a substantial pay review.

"The company has not met the claim for Sunday premiums and the pay offer they have put on the table comes with an unacceptable string of clawing back more money from members who are off sick."

If the strike goes ahead, major disruption for Stansted is highly likely and signals a fresh bout of travel woe after the recent terror scare.