Airport workers to vote on strike action

Ferry companies such as Stena Line, DFDS Seaways and Norfolkline could once again come to the aid of airline passengers this year, following the news that airport workers are to take part in a strike ballot.

The Unite trade union announced today (July 16th) that it was giving airport operator BAA seven days' notice regarding its intention to hold the ballot following a dispute over pay.

More than 6,000 employees will take part in the vote, including security staff, engineers, firefighters and support workers at major airports such as Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

BAA said it was disappointed with Unite's decision to ballot its members, saying that the move will cause "unnecessary concern for millions of our passengers and damage Britain's reputation around the world".

The news is not the first piece of bad press for the aviation industry this year, following the severe disruption caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland and a series of strikes by cabin crew staff at British Airways.

Alternatives to flying include Stena Line's ferries from Harwich to Hook of Holland and the Dover to Calais ferry route served by P&O Ferries and SeaFrance, both of which provide easy access to Europe.

Posted by Andrew Smith