The results of a ballot of around 600 baggage, ground handlers, terminal cleaners, aircraft refueling and check-in staff this Friday will determine whether workers at Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted airports will opt for strike action

in support of what they claim is an 'agreed' 2.75% pay increase.

The workers are employed by Swissport, Rentokil Initial and ASIG at the three UK airports and members of the Unite and GMB unions. They claim that an agreement was negotiated for a 2.75% pay rise in 2008, but their employers are now looking at plans to impose a pay freeze, adding that the rises must be 'self financed'.

Lawrence Chapple-Gill, Unite's Regional officer, said: ‘We are not oblivious to the economic climate, and understand the impact any industrial action would have on travellers during the busy summer period, but these employers are asking already low-waged workers to bear the full brunt of companies' attempts to adjust costs. Workers, who have consistently delivered for the companies through tough times, feel betrayed.’

There has been no comment so far from any of the airports that may be affected by any strike action, although Swissport has been quoted in the UK press as saying that if staff do decide to strike, then it believes there will still be enough staff at each airport to maintain services.