British baggage handlers at some of the country's busiest airports are being balloted on strikes over pay, threatening travel disruption this summer, it was announced today.
If a strike goes ahead it is likely to cause major disruption to Irish passengers.
Members of the GMB union at several airports, including Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and Manchester, could walk out at the end of the month if, as expected, they back action.
The ballot result is due in two weeks' time and the union would have to give one week's notice of a strike, which would coincide with the start of the school holidays, one of the busiest times for holiday flights.
The union is balloting around 1,500 workers, including baggage handlers and check-in staff. GMB official Ed Blisset warned that a strike would have a big impact on flights.
"A large number of airlines would not be able to fly because there would be no-one to load bags or check in passengers."
The union has rejected a pay offer of a 1.5 per cent increase plus a lump sum payment of £150 and is seeking a 3 per cent rise or a much bigger lump sum.
The dispute involves Aviance, part of the Go Ahead group, which runs ground services at airports. The union is expecting the ballot to show support for strikes.
PA