In travel news for August 11, 2023 we talk about more strikes coming to London Gatwick Airport.
Travelers planning to use Gatwick Airport later this month may need to brace themselves for potential delays. With eight days of strikes scheduled, including the pivotal August Bank Holiday weekend, approximately 45,000 passengers are anticipated to face disruptions. This comes after disagreements regarding employee pay at key airport service providers.
Members from the 'Unite' union, primarily from Red Handling and Wilson James, have announced their intentions to go on Strike. Red Handling, which provides ground services for airlines like Delta, is set to commence its strike actions on Friday, August 18, and conclude on Monday, August 21, with a second round starting on August 25 and ending on August 28. Meanwhile, Wilson James, which oversees passenger assistance at Gatwick, will begin its strikes on the same day but conclude on Sunday, August 20. Their second round of strikes will run from Tuesday, August 22 to Thursday, August 24.
Strike actions can severely impact travelers who are transiting through or entering the United Kingdom via Gatwick, especially given the timing. With Red Handling responsible for airlines including Norse Atlantic, Norwegian, Delta, TAP Air Portugal, and Saudia, Unite estimates that during the first four days alone, about 216 flights could either be delayed or completely disrupted.
The heart of the dispute lies in a perceived imbalance in pay. Unite's general secretary emphasized that their members wouldn't stand for "a real terms pay cut and poverty pay." She added that while other employers at Gatwick are ready to offer competitive rates, companies like Red Handling and Wilson James ought to follow suit.
The ramifications of the Strike aren't only limited to the workers and the companies. Previous strikes planned for late July and early August were averted when the concerned ground-handling companies settled on double-digit pay raises.
Gatwick's management has urged the staff and their unions to reach a resolution, promising support in contingency planning. They aim to ensure that despite the disruptions, most flights will proceed as planned.
Wilson James, on the other hand, expressed disappointment with the industrial action ballot, emphasizing their previous efforts to prioritize employee welfare, especially during the pandemic. They highlighted their attempts to save jobs, provide pay uplifts, and their above-inflation current offer as evidence of their commitment to their staff. The company also emphasized its ongoing efforts, hoping for a resolution before the strikes can impact the summer travel season, a busy period for travel.
