The present invention relates to an improved vacuum drum for handling labels in labelling machines to be used for labelling containers such as bottles. In particular, the present invention relates to a vacuum drum system (1) for labelling machines, comprising a vacuum drum (2) rotatably supported on a non-rotating base (12), a feeding and cutting group (4) for the labels and a gluing group (5) having a gluing drum for the label, characterized in that it comprises a suction system (3) for withdrawing hot glue filaments originating from the glued label assisted by air jets emitted from the drum surface, the said suction system (3) being positioned adjacent to and downstream the gluing drum of the said gluing group (5), along the direction of rotation of the said vacuum drum (2). A method of operating the said system is also claimed.