Yahoo News Gatwick Airport easyJet and TUI flights may not have food amid strikes
There could be no food or drink on certain easyJet flights leaving Gatwick Airport on select days during April and May as catering contractors will strike over pay. Around 100 workers, including HGV drivers and warehouse workers, will strike from Friday, April 26, to Monday, April 29, and from Friday, May 3 to Monday May 6.
They will also walkout between Friday, May 10, and Monday, May 13. Strike action will intensify if the dispute is not resolved, says union Unite.
The strikes are by Dnata catering staff, and will also impact other airlines including TUI. They are over the company’s alleged unilateral removal of a shift allowance for all staff last April.
The move, Unite claims, has led to all Dnata’s workers receiving a pay cut of between £1,500 and £2,000 per worker.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members have run out of a patience with Dnata’s double-dealing and blatant dishonesty. Ending the shift allowance in return for a night premium was never part of the deal and the company knows that.
“Unite never accepts attacks on our members’ jobs, pay or conditions and Dnata’s workers have their union’s total backing during these strikes.”
Unite regional officer Dominic Rothwell said: “Dnata’s behaviour has been atrocious. It beggars’ belief that the company thought it could take its workers for fools and deal with them in such an underhand manner. It has pushed the workforce into taking strike action and is responsible for the inconvenience it will cause to easyJet and TUI passengers. Dnata needs to rapidly return to talks with Unite and put forward a settlement that is acceptable to our members.”
An easyJet spokesperson said: "We are aware of the Unite announcement related to proposed industrial action by their members working at dnata and would like to reassure customers we will be working with dnata to ensure contingency plans are in place for these dates should this action take place. We urge dnata and Unite to reach an agreement as soon as possible."
A dnata Catering UK spokesperson said: “We are surprised and disappointed by the premature statement issued by trade union Unite regarding a proposed industrial action at London Gatwick airport, stemming from a single point of disagreement where consensus has yet to be reached. We remain committed and open to constructive dialogue and are confident that this matter will be resolved. In the meantime, we are keeping our valued customers informed throughout this process.”
TUI declined to comment.
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