Gatwick Airport baggage handler dispute resolved
A dispute between Gatwick Airport baggage handlers and their bosses which resulted in industrial action in April has been resolved.
More than 100 baggage handlers, check-in and flight dispatching staff from Red Handling had gone on strike for four days across Easter in a row over pensions and working conditions.
Strike action on 18 and 25 May and 1 June was suspended because of the negotiations, which have now concluded.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport said they were pleased an agreement had been reached.
The Red Handling workers, who are members of the Unite union, said the dispute was over "long-standing issues" with pensions, including having contributions not paid and plans not set up.
Staff had also complained of being overworked and not having proper breaks between shifts, but had since agreed on new working terms which included receiving overtime pay and having guarantees about time off, Unite said.
Ben Davis, the union's regional officer, said: "The situation with pensions, late wages and a lack of breaks was taking a big toll on our members and they are glad this has now been resolved."
Red Handling has been contacted for a comment.
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Gatwick downplays effect of Easter strikes
EasyJet to run full service despite Gatwick strike
Gatwick strike called off but disruption looms
Gatwick Airport
Unite the Union
Red Handling
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
M&S hack: DragonForce cyber criminals sent abuse-filled ransom demand to retailer's CEO
Marks & Spencer hackers have reportedly sent an abuse-filled ransom demand to the retail giant's boss. The email was sent to M&S chief executive Stuart Machin in broken English on the April 23, according to the BBC. It is said to have been sent from the hacker group DragonForce using an employee email account. 'We have marched the ways from China all the way to the UK and have mercilessly raped your company and encrypted all the servers,' the hackers reportedly wrote. 'The dragon wants to speak to you so please head over to [our darknet website].' The email confirms for the first time that M&S has been hacked by the cybercriminal group. The BBC reports that the message includes a racist term and was sent to Mr Machin and seven other executives. The extortion email reportedly includes a darknet link connecting to a portal for DragonForce victims to begin negotiating the ransom fee. The hackers wrote: 'Let's get the party started. Message us, we will make this fast and easy for us.' M&S has refused to say whether they paid any ransom to the hackers. A spokesperson told The Standard: 'We cannot comment on details of or speculation on the cyber incident, and we have been advised not to.' The retailer was targeted by hackers over Easter, forcing it to stop taking online orders from customers and leaving shelves empty. M&S has said disruption from the 'highly sophisticated' cyber attack is expected to continue through to July, causing losses of around £300million.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bus drivers continue strike action over pay
Hundreds of bus drivers across the west of Scotland are continuing their strike action over pay. The Unite union said Stagecoach had failed to improve on a 4% "strings attached" offer tabled last November. It said 98% of its members had voted in favour of the industrial action - involving drivers at depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, and Kilmarnock. Stagecoach has said it wants a "fair and sustainable" pay deal for drivers that preserves the viability of bus services. The industrial action began last month and is planned to continue with six weeks of continuous action between 9 June and 21 July. Pickets were expected all day at the company's Ayr and Kilmarnock bus stations. Stagecoach said its services would be disrupted due to the industrial action. It said it planned to operate a "limited service with the drivers available". "We're working hard to minimise the impact of this disruption, but unfortunately, the limited services we're running will affect customers travelling in and around Ayrshire," it said on its website. "We're very sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding." It said it would share any updates of the impact on its services via its website. Bus routes disrupted as Stagecoach drivers strike
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Spar Group Ltd (JSE:SPP) (H1 2025) Earnings Call Highlights: Strategic Exits and Operational ...
Release Date: June 04, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Spar Group Ltd (JSE:SPP) reported a 5.5% increase in operating profit in Southern Africa, demonstrating effective cost discipline and margin management. The company successfully exited its operations in Poland, Switzerland, and the UK, aligning with its strategy to focus on core high-return markets. Gross margin improved to 10.7%, driven by better product mix, enhanced procurement, and tight promotional management. Cash generated from operations was strong at 1.4 billion rand, with net debt decreasing and leverage well within covenant limits. The company is making significant progress with its SAP rollout, which is expected to enhance operational efficiency and margin optimization. Sales growth was below expectations, with Southern Africa experiencing specific softness in inland regions and Ireland facing modest sales declines. The company faced challenges from macroeconomic volatility, cybersecurity risks, and shifts in consumer behavior. The Swiss and UK operations were classified as discontinued, with significant impairments recognized, impacting overall financial performance. The timing of Easter negatively affected sales growth in both Southern Africa and Ireland. The company is operating in a challenging environment with high unemployment and cost of living pressures affecting consumer spending. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with JSE:SPP. Q: Can you provide any updates on the Switzerland business, including who you are in talks with and the timing of the potential sale? A: We are in an exclusive process regarding the Switzerland business, and it's a sensitive stage, so we can't comment further. Our priority is to ensure the best outcome for our employees, retailers, and suppliers, ensuring a sustainable business post-sale. (Respondent: Unidentified_4) Q: Why did the Swiss business move into an operating loss so quickly, and why was this not guided? A: The loss in Switzerland was primarily due to a cyberattack. We didn't guide specifically on this as Switzerland is a small portion of the group and not deemed material for specific guidance in trading updates. (Respondent: Unidentified_4) Q: What is the outlook for South Africa's growth and operating margins for the full year, given the weak revenue growth momentum? A: Post-period sales have improved, though not to desired levels. We expect to maintain our previous guidance of a 2.1% to 2.3% operating margin for the full year, likely towards the lower end of that range. (Respondent: Unidentified_1) Q: Can you update us on the Janooppoulos litigation process, and have you made any provision in the accounts for a potential settlement? A: There has been no movement on the Janooppoulos matter since our last update. We are awaiting the discovery phase, and no provision has been made for a settlement at this stage. (Respondent: Unidentified_1) Q: Do you think Spar can reduce net debt for the full year, assuming disposals are not finalized by year-end? A: Our gearing is essentially flat compared to last year, despite taking on Polish debt. This demonstrates the cash generation ability of the SA business, and we are confident in reducing gearing regardless of the disposals. (Respondent: Unidentified_2) Q: What was the wholesale internal inflation for the H1 period, and what was it post-period? A: For the first six months, wholesale internal inflation was about 2.8% for groceries and liquor, and about 3.5% for Build it. (Respondent: Unidentified_2) Q: You mentioned a trajectory towards achieving a 3% margin in SA. What is the timeframe for this, and is the target for the entire SA business or just the wholesale grocery segment? A: We expect to operate within the 2.1% to 2.3% range for the full year. Achieving a 3% margin in the second half of next year is possible but will require accelerated sales momentum. The 3% target is for the entire SA business, not just the grocery segment. (Respondent: Unidentified_1) Q: Are you seeing loyalty levels increasing or remaining flat post-year-end? A: Loyalty levels have shown a slight increase in the short term, but they are roughly flat over the full financial year. (Respondent: Unidentified_1) For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
