More Gatwick summer strikes suspended following improved pay offers
Around 1,000 workers, including baggage handlers and check-in staff, had been due to walk out from Friday 28 July to Tuesday 1 August in a dispute over wages. The Unite union previously warned disruption would be "inevitable".
Monday 24 July 2023 15:21, UK
More planned strikes at Gatwick Airport have been called off after staff were offered improved pay deals - including rises of up to 43% for some workers.
Around 1,000 employees, including those in baggage handling and check-in roles, had been due to walk out from Friday 28 July to Tuesday 1 August in a dispute over wages.
The Unite union warned that delays and cancellations for customers flying with British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Westjet and Wizz would be "inevitable".
A second round of strikes was also scheduled from Friday 4 August until Tuesday 8 August at the London airport.
But Unite has confirmed that staff at three of the four companies involved - ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL - will now not take part in the action planned for later this week.
Only workers at ASC are still scheduled to strike - although they are currently voting on a new pay offer and so could also soon call off their walkout.
It comes after Unite announced last week that 600 of its members at DHL were suspending their planned strike while they considered a proposed pay rise.
The union has now confirmed that DHL employees have ended their dispute after voting to accept a 15% increase.
The deal includes further premiums - including a rise of up to 43% in the hourly rate paid to those working between midnight and 5am, Unite said.
Its general secretary Sharon Graham described the pay boost as "an excellent result secured by the steadfast position of our DHL members."
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Meanwhile both ASC and Menzies staff are currently voting on improved offers, with members at Menzies suspending their strike for this week.
GGS staff have also called off this week's walkout as talks "are progressing in a positive direction", Unite said.
However if ASC and Menzies staff vote to reject the pay offer, ASC staff will strike from 28 July, while workers from both companies will strike as planned from 4 August.
GGS workers will also strike from 4 August if "a satisfactory outcome" in talks is not reached in time, the union said.
Unite declined to provide details of the improved pay deal offered to ASC and Menzies but said the outcome of the ballots and talks should be known "later this week".
It comes after security staff at Heathrow Airport also called off plans to strike during almost every weekend of the summer after a pay deal was reached last month.
However, holidaymakers heading to Greece face some disruption to flights this week due to wildfires.