TALKS to avert strike action at the region's busiest airport will take place this week.

About 170 check-in staff with ground handling agent Groundstar at Newcastle Airport are voting this week on industrial action.

The workers, who are on the minimum wage, are threatening to strike after rejecting a three per cent pay rise. The result of the postal ballot will be announced on Monday.

Independent body Acas, which helps settle disputes between unions and management, has invited both parties to sit down again.

Graham Eastwood, regional organiser of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU), said: "Acas have invited us to exploratory talks on Thursday morning.

"The Acas conciliatory officer has offered to help us and we will go along and listen and discuss."

No one from Groundstar was available for comment last night.

The company, which performs ground services for British Airways and KLM at Newcastle, came under fire last week after it emerged it had sent a letter warning staff the strike could mean job cuts.

The union has been in talks since the last pay deal ran out in April and this week called a ballot on industrial action after reaching a deadlock in negotiations.

If the workers agree to strike, flights in and out of Newcastle would be hit from Monday, August 18, a week before the Bank Holiday.

August is traditionally the airport's busiest period, with 400,000 travellers expected through the doors.