More than 220 workers providing assisted travel at Gatwick are set to strike over pay later this month, with the union Unite warning of delays for passengers.
The strikes, carried out by workers at Wilson James, are set to take place from 17 to 21 September and 23 to 26 September.
Unite said the industrial action will mean it takes longer to board and disembark passengers who rely on assisted travel, potentially causing delays to both short-haul and long-haul flights.
The union has been in pay negotiations with Wilson James since May. Workers have rejected a two-year offer including a 3.4% pay increase and 0.6% non-consolidated bonus for 2026, followed by a rise of CPI plus 0.5% next year.
Unite said the offer does not go far enough to address low pay, with its lowest-paid members currently earning £14.71 an hour.
Wilson James recorded £17.43 million in profit before tax last year, according to Unite, while Gatwick Airport Ltd, which funds the contract, recorded £464.2 million in profit before tax in 2025.
Unite Regional Officer Ben Davis said: “Unite has been trying to negotiate a better pay deal for our members for months, however Wilson James has failed to put forward an offer that is acceptable to workers.
“Industrial action will inevitably disrupt services throughout Gatwick but this is a direct result of Wilson James refusal to make a fair offer to our members. Strikes can be avoided but that requires the company making a significantly improved offer.”
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham added: “Wilson James is a highly profitable company which can more than afford to put forward a pay deal that reflects the hard work our members do.
“These workers are vital in the smooth running of the airport, doing a key role in assisting passengers on and off flights. Their jobs have become even more difficult as Gatwick has become busier.”
A London Gatwick Airport spokesperson said: “We are working with our assisted travel provider, Wilson James, to avoid any impacts and we expect to operate a normal flight schedule for our airlines and passengers on these dates. Of course, we hope Wilson James and their union can reach a resolution before then.”
