Strike threat at Gatwick recedes as easyJet ground handlers call off action

Strikes planned at Gatwick this weekend by workers at two ground-handling companies have been suspended and action at a third firm called off, significantly reducing the threat of disruption to holiday flights.

Staff at ground handler DHL, which services easyJet flights at Gatwick, have called off plans to strike after voting to accept a 15% pay rise.

Their plan to strike from Friday July 28 to Tuesday August 1 was suspended last week for the ballot to take place.

Workers at a second ground handler, Menzies, have suspended plans to strike from Friday to Tuesday while they ballot on a revised pay offer, and the Unite union reported a strike by ground handlers at a third company GGS has also been suspended as talks are “progressing”.

Staff at a fourth ground handler, ASC, are also balloting on a new offer but have not cancelled plans to strike from this Friday to Tuesday (July 28 – August 1).

Plans by workers at Menzies, ASC and GGS to strike over the weekend of August 4-8 remain in place, pending the outcome of the strike ballots and talks.

Workers at three remaining ground-handling firms at Gatwick are in the process of conducting strike ballots which threaten further action from mid-August.

Unite said staff at DHL had received an increase in skills payments on top of the headline pay increase of 15% which would raise rates by up to 31%, and in addition would receive a new shift premium for early hours working.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, hailed the deal at DHL as “an excellent result”.