Around 200 EasyJet workers at Luton Airport have accepted an improved pay offer, ending ongoing strike action.
The staff, who are members of trade union Unite, are outsourced to EasyJet by DHL and work on check-in desks and as baggage handlers. They operate on routes to and from Luton, to countries such as Spain, Germany, Italy and Czech Republic.
The 18-month deal will see staff receive a 5.5% pay rise backdated to October 2025, a 25% increase to night shift premiums and a £250 payment in April 2026.
The workers decided to take strike action after rejecting their employer’s previous offer of a 4.5% pay rise, arguing that DHL workers at Gatwick earn around £3 an hour more for doing the same job. They also stated they do not believe the previous offer goes far enough to address low pay rates, the current cost-of-living crisis, and rising food, fuel and heating bills.
Before voting to accept the offer, affected employees took three days of strike action, from 3am on Friday 19 December to 3am on Monday 22 December. They were due to walk out again from 3am on Boxing Day (26 December) until 3am on Monday 29 December, however, strikes were suspended after talks between Unite, DHL and conciliation service Acas resulted in the improved deal.
A DHL Supply Chain spokesperson said: “Following positive talks with Unite, we can confirm that the union has accepted our revised pay offer and called off its planned industrial action at our London Luton Airport operation. We look forward to delivering excellent service for our customers in the years ahead.”
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, added: “Congratulations to Luton’s DHL workers who, by demanding better pay and taking strike action, secured an excellent deal.”
