Gatwick Airport is facing “severe disruption” with fresh industrial action later this month, as 230 ground handlers and passenger assistance workers will walk out in a feud over pay.
Members of the Unite Union will strike on eight separate days – between Friday 18 August and Monday 21 and Friday 25 and Monday 28 – coinciding with the August Public Holiday weekend.
The workers involved in the strike work for Red Handling, a ground handling company, and Wilson James, who operate passenger assistance contract at the airport. It is estimated that up to 45,000 passengers will be affected by these strikes.
The airlines affected include Norse Atlantic, Norwegian, Delta, TAP Air Portugal and Saudi.
Red Handling workers are scheduled to begin their first tranche at midnight on Friday 18 August with the strike concluding at midnight on Monday 21 August. The second strike will begin at midnight on Friday 25 August and ending on Monday 28 August.
Unite regional officer Dominic Rothwell said: “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.”
Should you have any immediate concerns about your forthcoming travel arrangements from Gatwick please contact a member of CT Business Travel Team 24/7 on 01892 616122
