London’s Gatwick Airport faces eight days of strikes in August

LONDON - Around 230 workers at London Gatwick, Britain’s second-busiest airport, will take eight days of strike action in August over pay disputes, said the Unite trade union on Wednesday.

The union warned of flight disruptions during the peak summer travel period.

Ground handlers, passenger assistance and other airport workers at Gatwick have been negotiating with various employers including Red Handling, Wilson James, Menzies and ASC, in separate pay disputes.

In July, some planned strikes were called off after workers received improved pay offers. However, on Wednesday, Unite said workers from Red Handling and Wilson James would take industrial action.

The latest strikes will take place in various tranches from Aug 18 to 28, ending on the day of a bank holiday for most of Britain.

More than 200 flights are expected to be disrupted or delayed during the first four days, Unite said.

“Red Handling and Wilson James need to wake up and smell the coffee, other employers at the airport are prepared to pay the going rate and there is no excuse why they shouldn’t do the same,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.

“There is no way our members will accept a real terms pay cut and poverty pay.”

Hundreds of thousands of workers in Britain have been taking strike action since 2022 as pay rises fail to keep up with high inflation.

A Gatwick spokesman said the airport would support airlines and other companies in their contingency planning for the strikes to ensure as many flights as possible run on schedule.

“We... encourage staff at Wilson James, Red Handling and their union to reach a resolution,” the spokesman said. REUTERS