Gatwick baggage screeners strike, August update

Published on Aug 18, 2025, 11:40 am CDT

4 min read

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) baggage screeners, employed by ICTS and represented by Unite, have suspended their first planned walkout after receiving an improved pay offer. The strike window from August 22 to 26 will not go ahead while workers vote on the deal. A second window, August 29 to September 2, still stands if members reject the offer. The update matters for U.K. holiday travel over the bank holiday, and for some transatlantic itineraries that start or connect via London. Gatwick says it expects to operate a normal schedule, while talks continue.

Key Points

Why it matters: The first strike window is off, reducing bank holiday disruption risk.
Travel impact: August 29 to September 2 could still see slower bag drop and delays.
What's next: Unite will ballot ICTS staff, then confirm if late-August action proceeds.
Who is involved: Unite the union, contractor ICTS, airlines using LGW.
Scope: Hold-luggage screening across terminals, affecting all carriers.

Snapshot

Unite has paused the August 22 to 26 walkout after ICTS tabled an improved offer. Members are voting now, and the ballot result will decide whether the August 29 to September 2 action proceeds. The dispute centers on pay for baggage screeners who handle checked-bag screening across the airport. If the second strike window goes ahead, travelers should expect longer lines at bag drop, slower baggage delivery, and possible departure delays as bag rooms back up. Gatwick has said it is working with suppliers and still aims to run a normal summer schedule. Earlier reports that "strikes start next weekend" are now outdated.

Background

The planned action targets hold-luggage screening, a chokepoint that can slow departures across all airlines when throughput drops. Unite says ICTS workers are among the lowest paid at Gatwick and is pressing for a higher settlement. The initial strike notice covered two windows, August 22 to 26 and August 29 to September 2, overlapping the August bank holiday peak. After new talks, Unite suspended the earlier window to ballot members on an improved offer. Gatwick has maintained that it expects to operate normally, coordinating with contractors to minimize disruption. For long-haul and transatlantic travelers connecting via London, the main risks are missed connections when checked bags delay aircraft pushback, and baggage arriving late to the carousel.

Latest Developments

Ballot pauses first window, late-August dates still live

Unite confirmed on August 15 that the August 22 to 26 action is suspended while ICTS staff vote on a revised offer. If members accept, both strike windows would be canceled. If they reject, the August 29 to September 2 walkout could proceed, covering another busy holiday period. Gatwick reiterates that it is working with suppliers, and expects to run a normal schedule on the suspended dates. Travelers booked for August 29 to September 2 should build extra time for check-in, consider carry-on only, and monitor airline messages closely. For earlier context and traveler tips, see our prior coverage, Gatwick baggage screeners strike to hit late August.

Analysis

Operationally, hold-baggage screening is a binary constraint. When fewer screeners process fewer bags, containers fill more slowly, bag rooms clog, and aircraft either wait on the stand or depart without some luggage. Because the ICTS teams serve the airport rather than a single carrier, pressure spreads across airlines during peak departure banks. Morning and late-afternoon waves would feel it most. Gatwick's confidence suggests contingency staffing, cross-skilling, or resequencing by airlines to preserve longer-haul integrity. Those steps help, but they cannot fully replace lost throughput. The practical advice remains simple. Travel with carry-on where feasible, arrive earlier than usual, and keep medications and mobility aids in the cabin. If you must check a bag, label it clearly and photograph contents for claims. For itinerary planning, travelers on separate tickets, especially with transatlantic connections via London, should add buffers or consider an overnight. Even if compensation rules classify contractor strikes as extraordinary circumstances, airlines still owe care, rebooking, or refunds when schedules change significantly. Prepared travelers reduce friction when the system slows.

Final Thoughts

This mid-month update corrects many earlier headlines forecasting full bank-holiday stoppages at London Gatwick. The first window is off pending a ballot, which meaningfully lowers immediate disruption risk. The next window, August 29 to September 2, remains possible if workers reject the offer. Plan conservatively, watch for airline guidance, and keep checked-bag volumes down where you can. We will update if the ballot resolves the dispute or if late-August action proceeds. For now, stay flexible and prepared around the Gatwick baggage screeners strike.