Chocolates sent to airport staff as a thank-you for their hard work during the busy summer have sparked anger.

Gatwick owner and operator the British Airports Authority sent boxes of chocolates to its 1,000 Sussex employees.

Some workers, angered over a reduction in the amount of overtime available, have promised to send the chocolates back.

A spokesman from the Transport and General Workers' Union said most staff had been pleased to receive the chocolates but a few found the gesture annoying.

He said: "It is quite a nice gesture to reward peoples' work but a box of chocolates doesn't pay the mortgage."

He said only a small proportion of the airport's staff had objected to the gift and nobody had complained to the union's office.

Gatwick's managing director Paul Griffiths said: "Thanks were due to all BAA Gatwick employees for their hard work."

Thursday, October 13, 2005