Unite warns of ‘major disruption’ at Gatwick during Easter weekend

Trade union Unite has warned of “major disruption” at Gatwick during the Easter weekend as more than 100 operations workers prepare to strike.

Red Handling staff, including baggage handlers and flight dispatchers, are set to take action from Good Friday on April 18 until the early hours of Tuesday, April 22, with Unite citing issues including “mishandling” of the company’s pension scheme.

The striking staff, who are said to handle about 50 flights a day, include those working as baggage handlers, check-in staff and flight dispatchers for Norwegian Air, Delta Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal and Air Peace.

Unite regional officer David Taylor said: “Gatwick says it expects the Easter holiday to be its busiest period of the year so far, so there is no doubt that industrial action over the long weekend will be extremely disruptive for travellers – however, this is a dispute entirely of Red Handling’s own making.”

A Gatwick spokesperson said the airport was supporting the affected airlines with their contingency plans, but added “thousands of passengers” would be impacted by the action if it went ahead.

Travel Weekly contacted Red Handling for comment.

Unite said travellers could expect flight delays and cancellations, long queues at check-in and baggage delays.

Its members are said to be in dispute over “numerous issues”, including an alleged mishandling of the Red Handling company pension scheme.

For more than a year, Unite said, members have discovered payments missing or incorrect, while some have not even had schemes set up for them.

The union added that Red Handling was also “routinely paying their employees late”. The issue is said to have happened three times over the past year, with some staff waiting for their wages for up to two weeks.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers have had enough of Red Handling playing fast and loose with their retirement plans and waiting weeks for pay they are rightfully owed for their hard work.

“The union will not stand back and watch members be treated in such an appalling way and they have the full support of Unite in this dispute.”

Unite also said workers were campaigning against new working patterns that had been imposed “without consultation”, adding that its members were not receiving the legally stipulated 11 hours between shifts. They have also been missing out on lunch and afternoon breaks, according to the union.

Taylor said: “The way the workers have been treated by Red Handling has been nothing short of a disgrace.

“We’re demanding that Red Handling pay all outstanding pension contributions immediately and compensate staff for retirement money they’ve lost, as well as commit to reimbursing them for late payments.

“There is also a health and safety issue due to Red Handling workers not being able to take adequate breaks so they can rest between shifts and we urge the company to take this seriously.”

A Gatwick spokesperson said: “We are aware of the recent ballot results and the planned industrial action by Red Handling which will impact thousands of passengers during one of our busiest times of year. 

“We are supporting the airlines impacted, who hold the contracts directly with Red Handling, with their contingency plans and are hopeful a resolution can be reached ahead of the proposed industrial action.

“Passengers are advised to contact their airlines directly for information.” 

Meanwhile, around 500 Heathrow workers providing assistance to passengers with restricted mobility plan a walkout today (Wednesday) as part of a pay dispute with employer Wilson James.

Initial strike action was posted on April 5, 6, 7 and 8 to ballot on a revised offer from the company. 

“This offer has been rejected and further industrial action will now be scheduled,” Unite said.

Photo: Shutterstock/Yau Ming Low