[ad_1]
lmost 1,000 employees at Gatwick Airport, together with baggage handlers and check-in workers, are to strike in a dispute over pay.
Members of Unite employed by 4 non-public contractors will stroll out for 4 days from July 28 and once more for 4 days from August 4.
The union stated the motion will “inevitably” trigger disruption to flights on the top of the summer season vacation season.
These concerned within the dispute are employed by ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Companies, 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 stated it has been in negotiations with the 4 firms since January however claimed they’ve did not make provides that meets the employees’ expectations.
The union’s common secretary Sharon Graham stated: “Our members at Gatwick Airport undertake extremely demanding roles and are important to maintaining the airport and airways working, but their employers by some means assume it’s acceptable to pay them a pittance.
“As a part of Unite’s unyielding concentrate on the roles, pay and situation of its members, the union has drawn a line within the sand and is dedicated to eradicating the scourge of low pay on 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 stated.
The airport is already struggling main disruption attributable to air visitors management (ATC) restrictions.
Strikes, workers shortages and air house 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 planet, however its flight numbers are at present capped at peak instances because of the ATC challenge.
The issue not too long ago compelled easyJet to cancel 1,700 summer season flights, largely from Gatwick.
A Gatwick spokesperson stated: “We’re conscious of the current poll consequence and can assist our airways with their contingency plans to make sure that flights function as scheduled.”
