UK airport travel 'chaos' warning as staff threaten to ground 70% of EasyJet flights
Thousands of air travellers could encounter travel disruptions for a month as airline employees are threatening to go on strike, possibly cancelling over 70% of flights.
Holidaymakers who intend to fly the following month might face massive travel disruptions as staff threaten to take action over a pay dispute, according to UNITE.
Refueling staff from World Fuel Services, a major provider in Gatwick, are preparing for a strike beginning early next month.
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Members of UNITE have stated that the action would be "disastrous" for travellers, with at least 70% of EasyJet's flights in the UK's second-largest airport likely to be disrupted.
One of the enraged staff members, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Sun they did not want to strike but feel they have no choice.
Said: "[A strike] would be disastrous. It would affect 70 per cent of [easyJet flights]."
"None of us want to do it. None of us. But the company, this American company, they're just being awkward and stubborn and changing the rules as they go along."
EasyJet operates over half of all departures from Gatwick Airport, with UNITE members responsible for refuelling over 250 aircraft per day.
According to the employee, management proposed a 4.25% raise over a year and a 7.25% increase over two years, but union members turned down the offer.
Strikers have countered with a demand for a 6% wage hike in the first year and to reduce their weekly working hours from 45 hours to 39.
WFS is recruiting temporary workers who are being hastily trained in an attempt to "cover up" the industrial actions."
"They've done this by bringing in the temp [workers]. They have hired seven temporary workers," they added."
They took them on recently because they thought we were going to strike over Easter and training-wise, they were rushed through. "want"They think they can get by with the temporary workers and those who aren't on strike but it will be a mess.
"In busy seasons, you're looking at about 220 to maybe 275 planes [to refuel] a day."
UNITE stated that the refueller's strike was expected to coincide with industrial action by employees of another company, Red Handling, where over 100 baggage handlers, check-in staff, and flight dispatchers were scheduled to stage another walkout. "We are not being greedy - currently, we can't book any holidays," the employee continued.
"They are refusing us to book any because they're worried about us going on strike, so they cancelled all holidays."
Out of the 48 employees at the company, only about five are thought to not take part in the action. The WFS worker added: "Not all the workers are part of this."
General secretary Sharon Graham said: "Workers at both companies have had enough of poor pay offers and appalling treatment from their employers and it is little surprise they are taking strike action."
The Sun has contacted Gatwick Airport and World Fuel Services for a response.
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