Gatwick strike: Chaos for holidaymakers as nearly 1,000 airport workers leave for eight days this summer

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Nearly 1,000 workers at Gatwick airport including baggage handlers and check-in staff will hold eight days of strikes starting later this month.

Union Unit said the measure would inevitably disrupt flights at the height of the summer holiday season.

And it is set to bring more chaos to commuters, after budget airline EasyJet this week canceled around 1,700 summer flights, primarily to and from Gatwick.

Announcing the new strike on Friday, Unite revealed that 950 workers will be out for four days from Friday 28 July until Tuesday 1 August.

They will then stage a second exit for four days from Friday 4 August through Tuesday 8 August.

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Flight data company Cirium said 4,410 flights were scheduled to depart from Gatwick over all days of the strike, the equivalent of more than 840,000 seats.

The airport is already experiencing significant disruption due to Air Traffic Control (ATC) restrictions.

Affected airlines include British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, TUI, WestJet and Wizz.

The striking workers, members of Unite, are employed by four companies: ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Services Ltd.

“Given the scale of the industrial strike, disruption, delays and cancellations are inevitable across the airport,” Unite said.

The union says that despite workers taking on “highly demanding and safe” roles, companies in Gatwick have made massive layoffs and cut salaries and conditions for remaining staff.

Unite has reportedly been in negotiations with the four companies since January but says they have “all failed to deliver offers that meet workers’ expectations”.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members at Gatwick take on demanding roles that are essential to keeping the airport and airlines operating, yet somehow employers think it is okay to pay them so little.

“As part of Unite’s unyielding focus on jobs, wages and the status of its members, the union has drawn a line in the sand and is committed to eradicating the scourge of low airport wages.”

Phil Lloyd, Senior Vice President UK at Menzies Aviation, said: “Unfortunately, Unite has refused to increase our previous 11 per cent salary for our ground staff at Gatwick.

“This pay award relates to the 2023 pay review and is in addition to the 10 per cent increase awarded in 2022. We are in ongoing discussions with our airline partners and remain committed to seeking a solution.

“We have invited Unite back to the table to continue discussions and hope we can reach an agreement that will be viable for both the company and our employees. We will continue to work to seek an acceptable solution to protect service for our airline and airport partners and their customers.”

A BA spokesperson said: “The Gatwick ground handling agent, GGS, is surprised by Unite’s announcement, given the constructive conversations they have had this week. They continue to work with the union to resolve this issue expeditiously so that we do not cause disruption to our customers’ travel plans.” .

Gatwick Airport is already experiencing significant disruption due to Air Traffic Control (ATC) restrictions.

Strikes, staff shortages and airspace closures due to the war in Ukraine mean ATC providers are limiting flight numbers across Europe.

Gatwick Airport is the busiest airport in the world, but its flight numbers are currently limited at peak times due to an ATC issue.

The problem recently forced EasyJet to cancel 1,700 summer flights, most of them from Gatwick. The Independent reported that the decision would affect 180,000 passengers.

Earlier this week, Gatwick airport was revealed to be the ‘worst in Europe’ for cancellations and delays – with more than half of flights disrupted in the past month.

Research by passenger rights expert AirHelp found that 54.08 per cent of flights from London’s busy airport were canceled or delayed in June.

It made the terminal, based in West Sussex, the worst major European airport for the disruption.

Responding to news of the Unite action, a Gatwick spokesperson said: “We are aware of the latest polling result. London Gatwick will support affected airlines, which have contracts with third party ground handling and check-in companies, with their contingency plans to ensure as many flights as possible are operational.” Excursions as scheduled.

A DHL supply chain spokesperson said: “We are disappointed to hear that Unite and its members have voted in favor of the industrial strike in the Gatwick ground handling operation.

However, we continue to work closely with Unite to achieve a satisfactory outcome for all parties.

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