700 baggage handlers, ground crew workers go on strike at Pearson airport

Earlier Thursday, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority said it hada contingency plan in the event of a strike or labour disruption, but did not provide details.

Instead, it suggested passengers check in with the various airlines to see if the strike would delay their travel plans.

Tonight, members of @Teamsterscanada Local employed by @swissport at #YYZ have voted in favour of a strike.

—@TorontoPearson

The striking workers include baggage and cargo handlers, cabin cleaners and other ground staff, as well as some employees who tow planes as part ofthe airlines' Swissport services.

The overwhelming strike result came as little surprise as the union's bargaining team had appealed to its members to reject the proposed contract. The union has said it's struggled to find common ground on changes Swissportwants to make to scheduling.

Picketers have no plans to delay travellers or any aircraft, the local's vice president said Thursday, saying that he and his colleagues just want a fair deal so they can get back to work.

"The fight is not with the general public it's with Swissport management," Harjinder Badial told CBC Toronto. "We're not here to delay any sort of flights or anything like that. We sent a message to Swissport tonight andI hope they're listening."

The union had already set up picket lines around Terminal 3 and a cargo terminal near Swissport's administrative offices.

Badial said that there have already been delays, but blamed those on the 250 contract workers hired by Swissport in May.

"I know there has been a few delays today, with these temporary agency workers," he said. "There's been a lot of incidents as well, and at the end of the day there certainly will be an impact and we will try to minimize it as much as possible."

Pierre Payette, Swissport Canada's vice-president of operations, said the company has bargained in good faith throughout contract talks. It also put out a memo to employeesTuesday, asking them to vote in favour of the company's final offer.