Unite says that this four-day action is expected to disrupt or delay 216 flights, affecting approximately 45,000 passengers
London Gatwick Airport could face fresh strikes over eight days where 216 flights and approximately 45,000 passengers could face disruption. In a press statement, the British workers union, Unite, has announced two planned strikes due to a dispute over pay.
The statement says that the strikes will involve more than 230 workers, who are members of Unite union, employed at Red Handling, a ground handling company, and Wilson James, which operates the passenger assistance contract at the airport.
According to the statement, Red Handling employees are scheduled to strike from August 18 until August 21. Unite says that this four-day action is expected to disrupt or delay 216 flights, affecting approximately 45,000 passengers. A second strike will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, from August 25 until August 28.
It adds that the strikes at Wilson James will last from August 18 until August 20, and then from August 22 until August 24.
Sharon Graham
“Red Handling and Wilson James need to wake up and smell the coffee, other employers at the airport are prepared to pay the going rate and there is no excuse why they shouldn’t do the same. There is no way our members will accept a real terms pay cut and poverty pay,” says Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
The comes after workers at four companies, namely DHL, ASC, GGS and Menzies, cancelled eight days of strike action in late July and early August following improved pay offers.
“Unite’s complete focus on the jobs, pay and conditions of its members will mean that our members at Gatwick will receive the union’s unflinching support,” Graham adds.
“The strike action is set to cause severe disruption throughout Gatwick Airport, but this dispute is totally of the employers’ own making, they have been given every opportunity to make our members a fair pay offer but have failed to do so,” says Unite regional officer Dominic Rothwell.
The strikes may impact Indian travellers, too, since Air India flies direct from Amritsar, Goa, Ahmedabad and Kochi to Gatwick, having moved some of its flights from London Heathrow to Gatwick from March onwards.
