Gatwick Airport Baggage Screeners to Strike over Pay Dispute

Holidaymakers traveling through Gatwick Airport may face severe delays later this month as baggage screeners employed by ICTS plan to strike over a pay dispute. The 10-day strike, announced by the UK's largest trade union Unite, is set to take place between August 22-26 and August 29-September 2. According to Unite, ICTS workers earn just above the minimum wage, which is among the lowest paid staff members at Gatwick Airport.

Key Takeaways:

• The strike, announced by Unite, will affect all flight services departing Gatwick Airport between August 22-26 and August 29-September 2.
• ICTS workers employed as baggage screeners earn just above the minimum wage, which is among the lowest paid staff members at Gatwick Airport.
• Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated that ICTS has more than enough money to offer a fair pay rise, and the union will provide complete backing to the striking workers.
• Regional officer for Unite, Ben Davis, added that despite performing a critical role, ICTS workers are amongst the lowest paid at the airport.
• Gatwick Airport has downplayed the impact of the strike, stating that this is an industrial matter with third-party suppliers and that they are working to avoid any impacts on passengers.
• The strike is expected to "intensify" if the dispute is not resolved, according to Unite.

Statistics:

• 10 days: The duration of the strike announced by Unite.
• 2-6 August: Days between which the strike will take place.
• 29 August-2 September: Additional days when the strike will take place.
• 1: The percentage of ICTS workers earning just above the minimum wage, according to Unite.

Sources:

• Unite ( UK's largest trade union)
• The Independent

"Tensions rise at Gatwick Airport as baggage handlers threaten to strike"

By: Natalie Wilson