Around 400 Wilson James passenger assistance and 170 ICTS baggage screening workers based at Gatwick Airport have voted for improved pay offers.
The Wilson James employees voted in favour of a pay offer worth 10.5%, while the ICTS staff accepted an 11% deal.
According to Unite, which represents both sets of workers, they earn just above the minimum wage. The staff rejected pay offers from their employers and voted to strike from 12 to 14 July and 19 to 21 July, with further industrial action set to be scheduled if the disputes are not resolved.
Last month, ICTS staff agreed to call off all action scheduled to take place from 12 to 14 July and 19 to 21 July while they were balloted on the offer. At the time, the strikes on the same dates by 200 Wilson James workers were set to go ahead.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “As these phenomenal results show, Unite is reversing the trend of jobs at Gatwick being underpaid and undervalued. Unite is achieving this by organising workers at Gatwick and relentlessly focusing on improving jobs, pay and conditions. Congratulations to our reps and members at the airport, their hard work and solidarity was essential to achieving these pay deals.”
Dominic Rothwell, regional officer at Unite, added: “Unite’s work at Gatwick shows why it is the union for the UK’s airport and aviation workers. Workers who want better wages and working lives should join Unite and get their colleagues to do the same.”
Wilson James and ICTS were contacted for comment prior to publication.
This year, Unite has secured pay deals for 4,625 workers at Gatwick Airport, DHL EasyJet, Menzies, ASC, North Air, ABM Airside, Red Handling, ICTS, DHL Gatwick Direct, Wilson James and Gate Gourmet. A total of 1,900 workers employed by Gatwick Airport accepted an 8% rise plus a £900 one-off payment, while 1,100 DHL EasyJet staff accepted a 9.8% increase.
