Passengers flying with Wizz Air have been warned to brace themselves for substantial delays and disruption after workers employed by its ground handler GH London Ground Handling Services Ltd, announced strike action following a complete collapse in industrial relations.

The dispute is 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.

Appalling conduct 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “GH London’s conduct is appalling; workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace and the company’s behaviour falls far below that standard.

“Unite always puts the jobs, pay and conditions of its members first and the workers at GH London will be receiving the union’s unflinching support.”

Company not listening

Unite has been attempting to resolve these problems, which are longstanding, through negotiations but GH London has failed to heed the union’s concerns.

Over 80 members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will stage three initial days of strike action. The first 24-hour strike will take place on Wednesday 30 August followed by further walk outs on 6 September and 13 September.

Huge disruption

Unite regional officer Richard Gates said: “The strikes will cause huge disruption to Wizz’s schedule but GH London has brought this dispute on itself. Unite has given the company every opportunity to improve its conduct and it has refused to do so.”

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.