Bosses shrug off strike at Gatwick

Baggage handlers and other ground staff at Gatwick Airport today walked out on their fourth strike in a dispute over working conditions and the suspension of a union shop steward.

But employer Servisair, the airport's second largest ground handler, said the strikes had caused "absolute zero" disruption to travellers and advised passengers to turn up as normal today and during walkouts planned for next Wednesday and Friday, 13 and 15 October.

Servisair, which looks after airlines including easyJet, Continental, MyTravel and Excell, has drafted in staff from other parts of the country to cover those who have walked out. BA flights are not affected.

A Servisair spokesman said: "We have our contingency plans ready for today and next week and expect minimal disruption."

But leaders of the Transport & General Workers Union said the fact the company had drafted in more workers than those on strike showed workloads were intolerably heavy.

Talks between the two parties broke down this week.