Gatwick Airport: Strikes set to trigger over 200 flight disruptions across eight days of chaos
Gatwick airport has recently declared further industrial actions planned for this month, including during the August bank holiday. Approximately 230 employees are intending to go on strike due to disagreements over their salaries.
The news was declared by Unite, the labor union, this morning, cautioning about possible flight disturbances due to the strike lasting eight days.
London's second most bustling airport will experience significant disruption during the August bank holiday, a favored period for vacationers to fly away and take full advantage of the extended weekend.
The strike will continue from August 18 to 28, and Unite has stated that it will cause disturbance or postpone more than 200 flights during the initial four days.
Approximately 230 employees working at airports will participate in the labor strike.
The individuals participating in the labor strike consist of ground handlers, personnel offering passenger assistance, and various employees working at the airport.
The workers have been discussing with different employers regarding disagreements in salary.
These companies, namely Red Handling, Wilson James, Menzies, and ASC, are currently involved in various disputes regarding wages.
In the previous months, several prearranged protests were canceled as employees were presented with salary proposals that met their expectations.
Early today, employees of Red Handling, a company specialized in ground handling, and Wilson James, the company in charge of passenger assistance at the airport, declared their intention to participate in a strike.
"Red Handling and Wilson James must open their eyes and acknowledge the reality, as other employers at the airport are willing to offer fair wages, so there is no justification for them not to do the same," expressed Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite.
Our members will never agree to a decrease in their wages in real terms or to receive a salary that would leave them in poverty.
"We will devote all our attention to the employment, wages, and working conditions of our members, ensuring that those working at Gatwick receive unwavering assistance from our union," she concluded.
The protest actions will be divided into batches, with the initial Red Handling protest starting at one minute past midnight on August 18 and ending at one minute before midnight on August 21. Their next strike will commence at one minute past midnight on Friday, August 25, and conclude at one minute before midnight on Monday, August 28.
The individuals participating in the labor strike consist of employees involved in ground handling, providing passenger assistance, and various other airport staff members.
The workers' protest at Wilson James is scheduled to commence from the very first minute of Friday 18 August and will continue until the final minute of Sunday 20 August. Subsequently, the strike will resume again at the very first minute of Tuesday 22 August and will conclude at the final minute of Thursday 24 August.
According to Dominic Rothwell, a regional officer at Unite, the strike will result in significant disruptions at Gatwick Airport. However, it's important to note that this conflict has solely been created by the employers themselves. Despite numerous chances, they have not provided our members with a reasonable salary proposal.
The companies should cease evading and present a proposal that aligns with the desires of our members.
British people are well accustomed to the news of a strike being declared.
Employees throughout the entire nation have been participating in strikes since the previous year, advocating for improved remuneration packages that align with the soaring inflation rates.
Gatwick Airport has not yet replied to a request for a comment.
