Holidaymakers flying from Gatwick Airport could face severe delays as baggage screeners prepare to strike over pay, the UK’s largest union has warned.
The walkout, set for later this month and covering the August bank holiday, is expected to disrupt travel for thousands of passengers.
Baggage screeners will strike from August 22 to August 26 and from August 29 to September 2, Unite the Union has said.
All flights out of Gatwick will face disruption during these times, the union said, warning industrial action will intensify if the dispute is not resolved.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “ICTS has more than enough money to offer these workers a fair pay rise. Not doing so is just corporate greed.
“ICTS’ Gatwick workers will receive Unite’s complete backing for as long as it takes during their strikes for fair pay.”
Unite has said workers, employed by ICTS, are amongst the lowest paid workers at the airport and earn just above the minimum wage.
Despite this, ICTS’s turnover has grown by 110 per cent since 2020, reaching £170.59 million in 2024, the union said. It made a profit before tax of £6.1 million in 2024, a 46.9 per cent increase compared to the year before.
Unite regional officer Ben Davis said: “ICTS is entirely responsible for the disruption that will be caused to Gatwick passengers during the strike action. It can well afford to put forward an acceptable pay offer and that is what needs to happen.
“Despite performing a critical role, these workers are amongst the lowest paid at the airport. Gatwick should be stepping in and pressuring ICTS to put an improved offer forward.”
A spokesperson for Gatwick said the airport does not anticipate significant disruption if strikes were to go ahead.
They said: “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. Of course, we hope ICTS and their union can reach a resolution before then.”
ICTS has been contacted by The Standard for comment.
