[UK] Gatwick baggage screeners will strike over pay during bank holiday

In the UK, the Unite union has announced that ICTS-employed baggage screeners at Gatwick Airport will strike over a pay dispute in late August. The industrial action will affect the bank holiday weekend, BBC News reports.

The union claims baggage screeners employed by ICTS are among Gatwick’s lowest-paid workers, earning "just above minimum wage".

Union members will reportedly strike from August 22 to 26 and again from August 29 to September 2. It said this action "will intensify if the dispute is not resolved".

BBC News has approached ICTS for comment.

Sharon Graham - Unite general secretary - said, "ICTS has more than enough money to offer these workers a fair pay rise. Not doing so is just corporate greed.

"ICTS's Gatwick workers will receive Unite's complete backing for as long as it takes during their strikes for fair pay."

The union reportedly stated that all flights out of Gatwick would be affected by the strikes and that ICTS was "entirely responsible" for the disruption.

Ben Davis - Unite regional officer - said, "Despite performing a critical role, these workers are amongst the lowest paid at the airport.

"Gatwick should be stepping in and pressuring ICTS to put an improved offer forward."

A Gatwick spokesperson said, "We are working with our suppliers to avoid any impacts, and we expect to operate a normal summer holiday flight schedule for our airlines and passengers on these dates.

"Of course, we hope ICTS and their union can reach a resolution before then."

Source: BBC News

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, the Unite union has announced that ICTS-employed baggage screeners at Gatwick Airport will strike over a pay dispute in late August. The industrial action will affect the bank holiday weekend, BBC News reports.

The union claims baggage screeners employed by ICTS are among Gatwick’s lowest-paid workers, earning "just above minimum wage".

Union members will reportedly strike from August 22 to 26 and again from August 29 to September 2. It said this action "will intensify if the dispute is not resolved".

BBC News has approached ICTS for comment.

Sharon Graham - Unite general secretary - said, "ICTS has more than enough money to offer these workers a fair pay rise. Not doing so is just corporate greed.

"ICTS's Gatwick workers will receive Unite's complete backing for as long as it takes during their strikes for fair pay."

The union reportedly stated that all flights out of Gatwick would be affected by the strikes and that ICTS was "entirely responsible" for the disruption.

Ben Davis - Unite regional officer - said, "Despite performing a critical role, these workers are amongst the lowest paid at the airport.

"Gatwick should be stepping in and pressuring ICTS to put an improved offer forward."

A Gatwick spokesperson said, "We are working with our suppliers to avoid any impacts, and we expect to operate a normal summer holiday flight schedule for our airlines and passengers on these dates.

"Of course, we hope ICTS and their union can reach a resolution before then."

Source: BBC News

(Quotes via original reporting)