Gatwick Airport Workers' Strike to Cause Major Disruption

Strategic Insights -

EasyJet passengers traveling from London's Gatwick Airport face significant disruptions as Redline Oil Services Ltd workers begin industrial action on Friday, May 16, lasting through Tuesday, May 20, and again from Friday, May 23, to Tuesday, May 27. The strike, backed by the Unite union, affects plane refueling operations at the airport, impacting not only easyJet but also Air India and Uganda Airlines. A backlog of work is expected to cause delays even on non-strike days, further exacerbating the disruption.

Key Takeaways:

  • The industrial action by Redline Oil Services Ltd workers will take place from Friday, May 16, to Tuesday, May 20, and again from Friday, May 23, to Tuesday, May 27.
  • The strike will impact easyJet, Air India, and Uganda Airlines, with potential delays expected even on non-strike days due to a backlog of work.
  • EasyJet has contingency plans in place at the airport, and the airline expects to operate its schedule as planned.
  • Red Handling workers' industrial action has been suspended for a fortnight to allow members to vote on new working terms and conditions.
  • The strike action by Redline Oil workers is a result of collapsed talks and the rejection of the company's pay offer by Unite members.
  • Red Handling has agreed to pay a bonus to workers if their pay was delayed, provide overtime pay, and cover the loss of interest on unpaid pension contributions.
  • An independent audit will be conducted to ensure the situation with missing pensions does not happen again.

Statistics:

  • 100+ Red Handling workers were poised to walk out on Sunday, May 18, and Sunday, May 25, but the action was postponed.
  • 1 remaining day of strike action by Red Handling workers is still planned to take place on Sunday, June 1, pending the outcome of the ballot.
  • The proposed industrial action by Redline Oil workers affects plane refueling operations at Gatwick Airport, impacting multiple airlines.
  • Over 100 Red Handling workers were prepared to participate in the strike action before it was suspended.
  • The Red Handling workers' strike action was postponed twice, first on May 18 and May 25, before being suspended.

Sources:

  • "EasyJet passengers warned of major disruption as airport workers strike." The Independent.
  • "Strikes suspended at Gatwick airport as companies makes new offer." The Independent.
  • Royal London.