THOUSANDS of late summer holidays could be ruined after North-East airport workers voted by three-to-one to strike over pay.

The first of a series of one-day strikes involving 150 baggage handlers and check-in staff employed by Groundstar at Newcastle Airport will begin on Saturday, September 8. Up to 25 flights a day could be disrupted.

But the airport vowed to keep disruption to a minimum and revealed they had drawn up contingency plans.

The airport advised passengers due to travel that day - and every following Saturday - to contact their travel agent or airline direct.

The airport emphasised that Groundstar's rival company, Servisair, would still be operating at the airport.

A spokesman said: "At this stage it is too early to offer any guarantees but we are doing our utmost to avoid any disruption to flight arrivals and departures."

The Transport and General Workers Union had recommended its 148 members accept the improved offer of four and a half per cent, double the original offer.

The increase came after workers voted to reject the first pay offer by 94 per cent last week. Workers want an increase of more than five and a half per cent, which would mean they are paid roughly the same as Groundstar staff at other airports.

Regional industrial organiser for the TGWU Joe Keith said: "We are not in the business of disrupting people's holidays willy nilly but our members want their aspirations to be met." No meetings have been scheduled with the company.

A Groundstar spokesman said he was "surprised" at the result of the ballot. "We offered an increase of four and a half per cent on basic pay with a further increase next year guaranteed to be above the rate of inflation.

"We have worked hard to build a secure future for all our employees. This uncalled for action threatens everything we have been working towards."

The news comes after the airport reported its busiest day in its 66-year history recently when 16,000 passengers passed through in a single day.