Unite has announced fresh strikes which will affect Gatwick airport later this month as workers dispute pay over a total of eight days of industrial action.
The strikes will involve more than 230 workers, who are members of Unite union, employed at Red Handling, a ground handling company, and Wilson James, which operates the passenger assistance contract at the airport.
Red Handling is responsible for ground handling for Norse Atlantic, Norwegian, Delta, TAP Air Portugal and Saudi.
Red Handling's first four-day strike action (which is set to run from August 18th at 00:01 – August 21st 23:59) could disrupt or delay 216 flights, affecting around 45,000 passengers.
The second Red Handling strike will affect the Bank Holiday weekend, beginning on Friday 25th August (00:01) until 23:59 on Monday 28th August.
The strikes at Wilson James will begin on Friday 18 August at 00:01 ending at 23:59 on Sunday 20th August, and then from 00:01 on Tuesday 22nd August, ending on Thursday 24th August at 23:59.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham 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. There is no way our members will accept a real terms pay cut and poverty pay.
“Unite’s complete focus on the jobs, pay and conditions of its members will mean that our members at Gatwick will receive the union’s unflinching support.”
Ground handlers are employed through a third-party contract between the ground handling companies and the airlines they work with, and as such the airport has no control over this type of industrial action.
A spokesperson for London Gatwick said: "We are aware of the recent ballot results and encourage staff at Wilson James, Red Handling and their union to reach a resolution.
“We will support Wilson James, who hold the contract for providing assistance to passengers, in their contingency planning. We will also support the airlines affected, who hold the contracts with Red Handling, with their contingency plans to ensure that as many flights as possible operate as scheduled.”
BTN Europe contacted some of the airlines affected. A spokesperson for Norse Atlantic Airways commented: "We are monitoring the situation and in dialogue with our ground handlers."
Last month strikes by DHL workers, who are contracted to provide ground services for easyJet were cancelled completely after the 600 staff
voted to accept the deal to increase their hourly rates.