Union threatens strike at Gatwick
Gatwick airport workers are to be balloted over whether to strike in protest over what the Unite union describes as a ‘below inflation pay offer’.
If workers support industrial action then strikes could begin by the end April.
The workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s largest union, have been offered a below inflation increase.
Unite says the below-inflation offer comes at a time when the profits of Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) have risen by £35.5 million to £97.4 million, in the past year.
It adds Gatwick recently gave shareholders £375 million in windfall and dividend payments.
The ballot for industrial action will begin on Friday March 23 and will be completed on Friday April 13. If members vote for action, strikes could begin during late April.
Unite’s members at Gatwick Airport include security staff, firefighters, trolley supervisors, surface transport workers and engineers.
Gatwick is currently operating at record capacity with the number of passengers accessing the airport having increased by 7.7 per cent.
Unite regional officer Jamie Major said: "Workers at Gatwick are disgusted with the company’s attitude.
"Their hard work means the company has achieved record profits, and they are dealing with record numbers of passengers, yet they have only been offered a real terms pay cut.
"Our members who are working harder than ever are not going to stand idly by and accept what will be a real terms pay cut.
"If GAL wants to avoid strike action which will inevitably lead to widespread disruption for passengers, then the management needs to return to the negotiating table and make a sensible offer."
A Gatwick spokesperson said: "Our focus remains on continuing discussion around pay in a positive and constructive manner directly with the trade unions and our employees."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season