Hopes of resolving a weekend security workers’ strike at Gatwick airport have receded, their union warned.
More than 130 members of the Unite union employed by aviation security firm ICTS (UK) to scan passengers’ luggage are due to begin a 48-hour walk-out from 6am on Saturday (August 10).
If the strike goes ahead it is likely to cause “considerable delays and disruption” at the airport in a dispute over pay.
Unite also announced a further four days of strike action on August 20-24.
The union claimed that ICTS has twice written to Unite describing the forthcoming strike as illegal and if workers take industrial action then it “may result in disciplinary action being taken against them; up to and including dismissal”.
Unite refuted ICTS’ assertion that the strike is unlawful with workers voting by 95% in favour of industrial action.
Unite regional officer Jamie Major said: “If ICTS wishes to resolve the dispute, then the company needs to drop the threats, sit down at the negotiating table and end poverty pay rates for its members.”
A Gatwick spokesman said last week wen the strike was first announced: “We have been reassured by ICTS that the mitigation plans in place mean that flights will not be impacted at Gatwick.
“In the interests of our passengers, we continue to encourage both sides in this dispute to work towards a resolution.”