This sounds like the BA baggage handlers strike at Heathrow some years ago where arriving pax with checked baggage had to go down to the aircraft side and get their bags there !

(BTW only BA staff were allowed inside the hold of the aircraft, which was done by volunteers from the admin staff at BA HQ. Working out of hours they were paid the full baggage handlers rates for overtime, Sunday work, etc. The strike lasted for months and some of them did so well out of it they paid off the mortgages on their houses !!)