Nearly a thousand workers are preparing to stage eight days of strike action at Gatwick Airport over the summer holidays due to a pay dispute, according to the Unite union.
The strikes, which could potentially disrupt the busiest summer period since the pandemic, involve employees from four different companies, including baggage handlers and ground staff.
The first strike is scheduled to take place from Friday 28th July to Tuesday 1st August, followed by another strike from Friday 4th August to Tuesday 8th August.
While the exact impact of the strikes remains uncertain, Unite has warned that disruption, delays, and cancellations are likely to occur with major airlines such as British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, Tui, Westjet, and Wizz Air expected to be affected by the industrial action, the union stated.
950 workers employed by ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS, and DHL Services, which provide various services to airlines including ground handling, baggage handling, and check-in work, are set to strike with the majority of these workers earn less than £12 per hour despite undertaking ‘demanding and safety critical’ roles.
Unite has been advocating for pay increases on behalf of its members and recently called off strike action by security staff at Heathrow Airport after reaching a new agreement.
If the strikes at Gatwick proceed as planned, they will add further pressure to the aviation industry, which is already grappling with issues such as restricted airspace over Ukraine and potential air traffic control strikes.
