Thousands of passengers who need assistance at Gatwick face the prospect of six days of strike action by staff in the run up to Christmas.
More than 250 workers are to stage three 48-hour stoppages from 5am on November 20 until 5am on November 22.
The walkouts will be repeated at the same times on November 26-28 and on December 21-23, the Unite union warned.
The workers, employed by logistics company Wilson James, voted by 98% for strike action in a row over pay.
The union estimates that its members look after about 14,000 passengers a week at the airport.
The dispute centres on a demand for a £1 an hour pay rise for the year starting April 1 to begin to bridge the gap with airport staff pushing luggage trollies who earn more. Those assisting disabled passengers are paid £8.27 per hour.
Unite regional officer Jamie Major said: “Our members have given us an overwhelming mandate for strike action in their dispute.
“We now have a generous window of opportunity for the management to sit down with us and negotiate a decent pay award before the six days of strike action kick in this month and in December.
“The last thing our members want is to cause inconvenience and distress to those passengers who rely on their services during their time at Gatwick airport – but they feel they have been forced into a corner.
“There is no rhyme nor reason why pushing luggage is valued more than helping people – perhaps, it’s because airlines can charge more for heavy luggage to increase profits.
“It remains a mystery to our members. Gatwick Airport needs to get its priorities right, otherwise it will suffer huge reputational damage in the run-up to the Christmas holiday season.
“The current pay of £8.27 an hour for our members is less than the voluntary UK living wage which is currently £8.75 outside London – and the south-east is one of the most expensive places to live in the country.”