Baggage handlers at Stansted threaten Easter Strike

Baggage handlers at Stansted Airport are threatening to disrupt thousands of family holidays this Easter by voting on strike action over changes to their shift patterns.

The GMB union is balloting 150 members who are employed as baggage handlers by Swissport at the Essex airport to see if they are prepared to walk out over the proposed changes.

The result of the ballot will be announced on 29 March with any resulting action likely to take place over the Easter weekend.

Swissport handles baggage for 11 airlines at Stansted Airport, including Thomson Airways, Monarch and Ryanair.

How can your travel insurance help if you are delayed by strike action?

In the event that union members do vote for industrial action and a strike goes ahead it could affect departing and arriving flights at one of the busiest times of the year.

If you are due to fly in to or out of Stansted at Easter and your flight is delayed by strike action, you should have cover under the travel delay section of your travel insurance, so long as you booked your holiday and bought your travel insurance before any strike dates were announced.

In the event that your flight is delayed by strike action, your first port of call should be your airline or travel supplier, as they are contracted to get you to your destination at a certain time, if they are unable to do so due to a strike, they have a duty to offer refreshments etc. and if they cancel the flight due to a strike, they much offer you an alternative, or a full refund.

In addition to this, the travel delay section of your travel insurance can give you more options, as it entitles you to a benefit payment for every 12 hours that you are delayed, this is designed to help cover any additional expenses, such as food and drink whilst you wait.

Plus, if you are subject to a delay of 24 hours or more you have the option to abandon the holiday and make a claim for the cost, up to the limit stated in the terms and conditions.

So long as you booked your holiday and bought your travel insurance cover before the strike dates were announced you should be covered under the travel delay section of your travel insurance policy.

To make a claim under the travel delay section of your policy you must have checked in for your flight and you must obtain a letter from the airline or travel company confirming the length and reason for the delay.

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