Passenger using Luton Airport tomorrow (Wednesday 30 August) are facing extensive disruption and delays as workers at three different companies are involved in strike action.

The most severe disruption is set to be caused by the walkout of workers at ground handlers GH London, due to a complete breakdown in industrial relation. GH London is responsible for all Wizz Air’s ground handling operations at the airport.

Victimisation 

The 100 plus workers are taking strike action as a result of GH London continually targeting and threatening a Unite rep with disciplinary action; the use of CCTV and audio recording of workers in break rooms without agreement; the company’s failure to follow its own disciplinary and grievance process; the disproportionate use of discipline against ethnic minority employees; and its failure to pay wages in full and on time. Further strikes have been announced for 6 and 13 September.

Last ditch talks aimed at resolving the dispute held at the conciliation service Acas today (Tuesday 29 August) ended without agreement.

Dirty toilets

Workers employed by Saase Limited on the airports outsourced cleaning contract will also be on strike tomorrow. The workers who are paid just £10.90 an hour, have rejected a below inflation pay increase. The strike will result in dirty toilets and an unkempt airport.

Both groups of workers will also be joined by car park workers employed by APCOA. The workers are taking industrial action as a result of their company imposing a below inflation pay offer. Strike action results in delays for passengers and staff who use the car parks and terminal at Luton Airport. The workers taking action include valet parking workers and bus drivers transporting passengers and staff from car parks to the airport terminal.

Delays and disruption 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Passenger delays and flight disruption are inevitable at Luton Airport tomorrow. The strike action being taken is a direct result of the companies concerned failing to treat staff fairly and decently.”

“Unite’s focus on workers’ jobs, pay and conditions means that there is no way we will accept our members being mistreated or underpaid.”

A picket line will be in place at the airport tomorrow from 06:00 until 12:00 at Airport Way Roundabout LU2 9LY.

Members' expectations

Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge said: “Unite has given all three companies every opportunity to resolve these disputes through negotiations but they all refused to make proposals which met our members’ expectations.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.