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Gatwick Airport Strike: Unite Union Calls for Fair Pay Amid Profit Surge

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Unite, a prominent trade union, has announced a strike at Gatwick airport, claiming it will disrupt all departing flights due to a pay dispute with ICTS, the baggage screening company. The strike, involving ICTS workers, is scheduled for August 22-26 and August 29 to September 2, coinciding with a bank holiday weekend. The union argues that ICTS workers earn just above the minimum wage, while the company made a £6.1 million profit before tax in 2024, a 46.9% increase from the previous year.

Key Takeaways:

  • Unite has announced a strike at Gatwick airport from August 22-26 and August 29 to September 2, involving ICTS baggage screeners, due to a pay dispute.
  • The strike will put all departing flights at risk of disruption, according to Unite.
  • ICTS workers earn "just above the minimum wage," making them among the lowest-paid employees at the airport.
  • ICTS made a profit before tax of £6.1 million in 2024, a 46.9% increase compared to the previous year.
  • Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has issued a statement supporting the ICTS workers and accusing ICTS of "corporate greed."
  • Industrial action will intensify if the dispute is not resolved, according to Unite.
  • Gatwick Airport was approached for comment but declined to provide a statement.

Statistics:

  • 46.9% increase in ICTS' profit before tax in 2024 compared to the previous year (£6.1 million).
  • August 22-26 and August 29 to September 2: dates of the strike.
  • Just above the minimum wage: the current earnings of ICTS workers.

Sources:

  • [1] Unite: trade unionLeading the charge on workers' rights, Unite believe that fair pay means the minimum wage must be higher than the living wage (Source: Unite)
  • [2] Sharon Graham: Unite general secretaryCommitted to fighting for workers' rights, Sharon Graham will stand strong in her support of ICTS workers (Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary)
  • [3] ICTS: baggage screening companyThe company made a profit before tax of £6.1 million in 2024, a 46.9% increase compared to the previous year (Source: Unite)

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