Threat of Gatwick Airport strikes over bank holiday weekend ends after workers accept pay offer

Workers at Gatwick Airport have called off plans to strike over the bank holiday weekend after accepting newly 'improved' double-digit pay offers.

Trade union Unite said workers at ground handling firms Red Handling and Wilson James had cancelled plans for industrial action this weekend. 

The union said there are now no further plans for strikes after Red Wilson staff accepted a 14 per cent pay boost an Wilson James staff took a 16 per cent rise.

The strikes threatened to cause major disruption over the bank holiday weekend by impacting thousands of Gatwick Airport customers. 

The two deals mean Unite has now secured eight 'double-digit' pay offers for workers at Gatwick Airport over one of the busiest summers on record. 

Unite's deals include pay boosts for workers employed by Red Handling, Wilson James, and six other firms contracted by the airport. 

Red Handling and Wilson James both provide ground handling services, and operate passenger mobility contracts at the aiport. 

Gatwick Airport, which is located 30 miles south of London in Crawley, West Sussex, is the UK's second busiest airport.  

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'This is a tremendous achievement. Unite has co-ordinated industrial disputes across Gatwick to secure well deserved pay increases for its members.

'The pay campaign at Gatwick Airport this summer is one of the clearest examples yet of how Unite's relentless focus on jobs, pay and conditions is paying direct financial dividends for its members.'

Unite regional officer Dominic Rothwell said: 'This was an extremely complex campaign and its success would simply not have been possible without the hardwork, dedication and commitment of Unite's reps and members at Gatwick.'

'Unite will not be resting on its laurels and will be using this year's pay battles as the foundation for future campaigns at the airport.'