The 950 workers, who are members of the Unite union, are employed at Gatwick by four companies – ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Services Ltd – across ground handling, baggage handling and check in, as well as ramp agent and dispatch roles, and serve many of Gatwick’s major airlines.
The workers will strike for an initial four days from 28 July to 1 August, and then for a further four days from 4 August until 8 August. Affected airlines include British Airways, Easyjet, Ryanair, Tui, Westjet and Wizz Air.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, on the days of the strike, a total of 4,410 flights are scheduled to depart the airport – equating to more than 840,000 seats.
During the strike period, Gatwick is projected to see an average of 441 daily departures, with easyJet being the biggest airline, followed by British Airways, Tui, Vueling and Ryanair.
Unite said the scale of the action will "inevitably" result in disruption, delays and cancellations across the airport.
The union reported that while workers are on varying rates of pay, the majority are paid on average under £12 an hour, despite undertaking demanding and safety critical roles. It said it has been in negotiations with the four companies since January, but claimed they all failed to make offers that meets the workers’ expectations.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Our members at Gatwick Airport undertake incredibly demanding roles and are essential to keeping the airport and airlines working, yet their employers somehow think it is acceptable to pay them a pittance.
"As part of Unite’s unyielding focus on the jobs, pay and condition of its members the union has drawn a line in the sand and is committed to eradicating the scourge of low pay at the airport."
Unite is also balloting its members at DHL Gatwick Direct, Red Handling and Wilson James. All three ballots will close on 31 July if workers vote for industrial action, the strikes in these companies could begin by the middle of next month.
It comes after government ministers on Thursday (13 July) debated the summer getaway, after easyJet cancelled hundreds flights this summer, prompting the aviation minister to seek a meeting with the airline’s chief executive.
