Full list of Gatwick Airport strike dates in July as 300 staff to walk out causing 'significant disruption'

Gatwick airport travellers could be in for more disruption this summer as Unite union has announced that 300 security and passenger services staff are planning to strike over 6 days this month. This is set to add to the troubles of holidaymakers who are already dealing with air traffic control issues and multiple travel companies declaring bankruptcy.

Unite has warned of potential check-in delays for travellers. The strikes over pay will include 100 baggage security screeners employed by ICTS and 200 Wilson James workers who provide special assistance services for vulnerable passengers. The workers, who earn just over the minimum wage, have so far rejected pay offers, reports Bristol Live.

The strikes at Gatwick are scheduled across July 12-14, and 19-21, with Unite suggesting that further strikes could be on the cards if the pay disputes are not resolved. Unite's General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: "These workers undertake incredibly demanding roles at one of the UK's busiest airports. They are simply seeking a fair day's pay."

READ MORE: Disaster for holidaymakers as major firm cancels all bookings up to July 26

He continued: "ICTS and Wilson James are wealthy companies and can well afford to put forward acceptable pay offers. Our members at Gatwick have Unite's total backing in taking strike action for a decent pay rise."

The union warned that the strikes would inevitably lead to 'significant disruption' at security checkpoints and across passenger services.

Additionally, about 100 dNata HGV drivers and warehouse operatives, responsible for supplying all of EasyJets onboard catering at Gatwick, could also down tools as they vote on striking over disagreements regarding shift pay.

Dominic Rothwell, Unite's regional officer, said: "The employers in these disputes are responsible for any disruption caused to passengers at Gatwick. These disputes could be easily resolved if reasonable offers are put forward. There is still time to avoid industrial action, but that will require these companies to table deals that are acceptable to our members."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for London Gatwick shared: "We are working with our suppliers to avoid any impacts and we expect to operate a normal summer holiday flight schedule for our airlines and passengers on these dates."

The current drama at UK airports isn't just down to strike action - a scarcity of air traffic controllers has resulted in a spate of cancellations and delays hitting UK airports hard. Both Ryanair and Wizz Air are reeling from the impact, with Ryanair confirming 60 scrapped flights and another 150 facing delay threats.

Neal McMahon from Ryanair didn't mince words when he slammed the ATC services, decrying them as being at their "worst levels ever". He commented: "These repeated ATC delays and cancellations are unacceptable. We apologise to our passengers for these repeated ATC flight delays and flight cancellations, which are deeply regrettable but beyond Ryanair's control."

Wizz Air issued a statement about the difficulties the airline is facing: "Wizz Air was prepared to ensure smooth summer operations for its passengers; however, the air traffic control system seems to be experiencing significant issues this summer. As an industry, we are compelled to escalate these issues with the relevant air traffic management authorities, including Eurocontrol, to ensure proper mitigation actions are implemented to minimise disruptions."

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