We are a long way from any strike action

Samantha Day Easyjet

Of those who voted, 98% were in favour of a strike. But no date has yet been set for any action.

The baggage handlers are unhappy about a 1.3% pay increase which they say has been imposed by the company.

"Our members want a realistic pay offer which is not linked to performance or target setting," said John Street, the regional organiser for the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G).

Easyjet and the T&G have agreed to meet to try to resolve the differences over pay.

But Mr Street said: "The threat of a strike is very real."

Cabin crew action on hold

The baggage handlers are also demanding that their union should be recognised by Easyjet.

On Tuesday, the T&G and Amicus unions met managers at the newly-merged Easyjet and Go to talk about trade union recognition.

They have agreed to hold further talks at the TUC conference next week.

Easyjet spokeswoman Samantha Day said: "We are a long way from any strike action.

"Negotiations are already underway and we are very confident that these will be successful," she added.

The T&G said a separate ballot on industrial action by Easyjet cabin crew had been put on hold so that talks about the dispute could go ahead.

The T&G is intending to ballot cabin crew based at Luton, Gatwick, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.