LONDON (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of British vacationers face potential disruption to their travel plans at the start of the summer school vacation, after nearly 1,000 workers at London’s Gatwick Airport voted in in favor of a strike in a wage dispute.
The Unite union said on Friday that members, including baggage handlers and check-in staff, who are employed by four private contractors, will be out for four days from July 28 and again for a four-day period from July 28. August 4.
The union said the action will “inevitably” lead to flight disruptions at the height of the summer holiday season after the school year ends. The airlines affected are British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, WestJet and Wizz Air.
Gatwick, which lies just south of the UK capital, is London’s second busiest airport behind Heathrow, with a particular focus during the summer on European resorts on the Mediterranean.
A total of 4,410 flights are scheduled from Gatwick on all strike days, which equates to more than 840,000 seats, according to aeronautical data firm Cirium.
Those involved in the dispute are employed by ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Services, which perform outsourced operations for airlines including ground handling, baggage handling and check-in. Unite said it had been in negotiations with the four companies since January.
“As part of Unite’s unwavering focus on jobs, wages and the condition of its members, the union has drawn a line in the sand and is committed to eradicating the scourge of low pay at the airport” said Sharon Graham, the union’s general-secretary.
Britain has seen a series of strikes in recent months as workers in various sectors seek pay rises that at least keep pace with inflation. Although inflation has fallen since its peak, it remains high at 8.7%. Unite said the majority of workers who are about to strike are paid an average of less than 12 pounds ($15.50) an hour.
Gatwick, like other airports in Europe, is already experiencing major disruption due to air traffic control restrictions following strikes, staff shortages and airspace closures linked to the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
“We are aware of the recent election result and will support our airlines in their contingency plans to ensure flights operate as planned,” an airport spokesperson said.