Gatwick airport employees’ strikes have been put on hold while union members vote on new salary offers.
Union members have either accepted or are being balloted on new pay offers, it has been announced.
Planned strikes at London’s Gatwick Airport will be significantly less disruptive now staff have either accepted new pay deals, or postponed action while they consider.
Nearly 1,000 workers from four companies were set to walk out for eight days this summer in an argument over pay.
Have the strikes been cancelled?
ASLEF members were due to walk out today (Wednesday) and Friday (July 28), but the union now says strike action has been suspended.
Unite said that DHL employees’ planned strikes had been cancelled completely as a result of their decision to accept a 15 per cent pay increase.
Meanwhile, the RMT has also suspended all strike action planned for next week on the London Underground after making progress in the pensions and jobs dispute.
And ASC employees will still strike from July 28 to August 1 and August 4 through August 8 if they reject the salary offer.
Menzies workers' strikes that were scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 1 have been put on hold but, if the offer is refused, they will also resume from August 4 to 8.
Will there be delays because of industrial action?
If ASC and Menzies workers reject the new revised pay offer, the strike taking place on Friday, July 28 will impact those travelling.
Only one of the four — ASC — is yet to vote on a pay offer. If it is rejected, they will walk out from Friday, July 28 to Tuesday, August 1, and then from Friday, August 4 to Tuesday, August 8.
The impact on passengers isn’t yet clear but disruption and delays are still possible.
What to do if you’re affected?
British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Westjet, and Wizz Air are among the affected airlines.
Since Gatwick employees are not paid by the airlines, they are not required to provide compensation. However, if your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than two hours, airlines must provide you with a different flight or help.
Travellers should check their flight information and status before leaving for the airport on strike days in case there has been a last-minute change.
Two hours for short-haul and three hours prior to long-haul flights is usually recommended for passenger arrival, so you should arrive earlier during the strike days.
Expect a busy airport and longer than usual security queue wait times.
