EasyJet's ground handlers at Gatwick suspend imminent strike action
James ChappleA strike by easyJet’s ground handlers at Gatwick, which had been due to get under way next week, has been suspended following a new pay offer, although action by other airport workers is still set to go ahead.
Nearly 600 DHL workers contracted by easyJet at Gatwick were preparing to walk out from 28 July to 1 August but will now be balloted on the new deal, the Unite union said on Tuesday (18 July). The union has warned that if its DHL members at Gatwick reject the offer, fresh strike dates would be announced.
Action by around another 450 ASC, Menzies and GGS workers at Gatwick is, though, still scheduled to take place over 28 July to 1 August, with a further four days’ action planned for 4-8 August.
Roles set to be affected by any Unite action include ground handlers, baggage handlers, check in staff, ramp agents and dispatchers, and would affect airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Tui, Wizz Air and Westjet. Advantage chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said described the action as "yet another blow" for travel.
Unite regional officer Dominic Rothwell said: “As an act of good faith, Unite’s Gatwick DHL members have agreed to suspend their first set of strikes while they are balloted on the new offer.
“Strikes by ASC, Menzies and GGS workers are still scheduled to go ahead. Unite urges the remaining employers to return to the negotiating table and put forward an offer our members will accept.”
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, on the proposed strike days, a total of 4,410 flights are scheduled to depart the airport, equating to more than 840,000 seats. During the strike, daily departures are likely to run to an average of 441, with easyJet operating the biggest share, followed by British Airways, Tui, Vueling and Ryanair.
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