Gatwick airport workers in strike vote over below inflation pay offer 

Workers at Gatwick Airport have begun balloting for strike action in a dispute over a below inflation pay increase, the Unite union said on Friday.

If approved, strikes could begin by the end of April, it added. Unite’s members at Gatwick include security staff, firefighters, trolley supervisors, surface transport workers and engineers.

The company has offered a non-consolidated payment of £500 from October 2017, then a 2.8% from April 2018 until October 2019 and an additional £350 non-consolidated payment.

Gatwick is owned by Global Infrastructure Partners and a consortium of investors. The company’s pay offer comes at a time when the profits of Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) have risen by to £97.4m from £35.5m, in the past year, Unite said.

Last year the private equity owners reportedly took £175m in dividends as speculation mounts over a sale of the airport.

The ballot for industrial action will begin on Friday 23 March and will be completed on Friday 13 April, Unite said in a statement.

Unite regional officer Jamie Major said workers were “disgusted with the company’s attitude”.

“Their hard work means the company has achieved record profits, and they are dealing with record numbers of passengers, yet they have only been offered a real terms pay cut.”

“If GAL wants to avoid strike action which will inevitably lead to widespread disruption for passengers, then the management needs to return to the negotiating table and make a sensible offer.”