Gatwick Airport employees to strike amid dispute over pay
A
lmost 1,000 employees at Gatwick Airport, together with baggage handlers and check-in employees, are to strike in a dispute over pay.
Members of Unite employed by 4 personal contractors will stroll out for 4 days from July 28 and once more for 4 days from August 4.
The union mentioned the motion will “inevitably” trigger disruption to flights on the top of the summer time vacation season.
Those concerned within the dispute are employed by ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Services, which conduct outsourced operations for airways together with floor dealing with, baggage dealing with, ramp agent, dispatchers, and check-in.
The union has drawn a line within the sand and is dedicated to eradicating the scourge of low pay on the airport
Unite mentioned it has been in negotiations with the 4 corporations since January however claimed they’ve did not make presents that meets the employees’ expectations.
The union’s basic secretary Sharon Graham mentioned: “Our members at Gatwick Airport undertake incredibly demanding roles and are essential to keeping the airport and airlines working, yet their employers somehow think it is acceptable to pay them a pittance.
“As part of Unite’s unyielding focus on the jobs, pay and condition of its members, the union has drawn a line in the sand and is committed to eradicating the scourge of low pay at the airport.”
A complete of 4,410 flights are scheduled to depart Gatwick throughout all of the strike days, equating to greater than 840,000 seats, aviation information firm Cirium mentioned.
The airport is already struggling main disruption attributable to air site visitors management (ATC) restrictions.
Strikes, employees shortages and air area closures associated to the conflict in Ukraine imply ATC suppliers are limiting flight numbers throughout Europe.
Gatwick is the busiest single-runway airport on the earth, however its flight numbers are at the moment capped at peak instances as a result of ATC situation.
The downside lately compelled easyJet to cancel 1,700 summer time flights, largely from Gatwick.
A Gatwick spokesperson mentioned: “We are aware of the recent ballot result and will support our airlines with their contingency plans to ensure that flights operate as scheduled.”