Latest news with #RedHandling
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
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@ 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
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
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 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 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 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 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.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
EasyJet expecting to run full schedule despite Gatwick strike
Gatwick Airport's largest carrier EasyJet is expecting to run its full schedule during half-term despite industrial action at its oil at Redline Oil Services, which fuels airlines including EasyJet, are taking industrial action between Friday and Tuesday after unanimously rejecting the company's pay strike action from baggage handlers, check-in staff and flight dispatchers over what they said were late and missing pension payments - which would have run on the same dates - was suspended to allow Unite members to vote on new terms.A Gatwick spokesperson said: "We are aware of the proposed industrial action from Redline Oil and are working closely with them and our airlines to minimise impacts to passengers." EasyJet, which had 44% of Gatwick's customers in 2024 (43.2m people), says it expects to operate as scheduled as contingency plans are in place at the industrial action by more than 100 Red Handling workers at Gatwick was put on hold for at least two union said it had received proof that pension contributions had been paid, but the remaining day of strike action by baggage handlers on 1 June was still due to go ahead pending the ballot's outcome, the Local Democracy Reporting Service explained that Red Handling had agreed to cover the loss of interest on any contributions not paid, and to carry out an independent audit to ensure missing pensions contributions did not happen again. A spokesperson from Red Handling UK said: "We are pleased to have responded positively and fully to all historical issues raised, resolving every point quickly and collaboratively. "We will continue to work with Unite the Union to work towards a solution to ending the dispute."Unite and Redline Oil has been contacted for a comment.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Gatwick Airport: Half-term baggage strike called off, Unite says
A strike at Gatwick Airport which was expected to disrupt half-term travel has been called off, trade union Unite handlers from Red Handling were due to walk out on Sunday and later this month in a pension dispute but will now suspend action pending a vote on new working flights could still be disrupted, however, with plane refuelers striking from today until Tuesday, and again from 23-27 May.A Gatwick spokesperson said it was "pleased" baggage handling strikes had been called off while EasyJet, whose flights are likely to be most affected by the refuelling strikes, said it had contingency plans in place and expected to operate as planned. Gatwick also added it was aware of the proposed industrial action from refeullers Redline Oil and was working "to minimise impact to passengers".Airlines which were expected to be affected by the suspended baggage handling strike include Air Mauritius, Air Peace, Delta, Ethiopian Airlines, Norwegian, and TAP.A spokesperson for Unite said it had received proof of payment of pension contributions from Red Handling. They said the union was suspending strike action on Sunday, as well as on Sunday 25 May, the day before a Bank Holiday and when most schools break for Davis, Unite regional officer, said: "Red Handling has returned to negotiations and made an improved offer and therefore Unite has suspended strike action to allow members to be balloted on the proposals."Further strike action could still go ahead on 1 June pending the outcome of a further vote, the union Handling and Redline Oil have been contacted for comment.
Sky News
12-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News
All you need to know about half-term strikes at Gatwick Airport
Baggage handlers and plane refuelers at Gatwick Airport are due to go on strike starting this Friday. Two companies, Red Handling and Red Line, are planning industrial action for various dates - both of which coincide with the May half-term holiday in England and Wales. Here we look at when the strikes are planned and what you can do if your flight is affected. When are the strikes happening? Red Handling and Red Line staff are striking on different days - but both coincide with the May half-term holiday in England and Wales from 26 to 30 May. Around 100 Red Handling employees, who work across baggage handling, check-in, and flight dispatching, are due to walk out on 18 May, 25 May, and 1 June. Red Line Oil Services, which runs plane refueling operations at Gatwick, are on strike between 16 and 20 May and 23 and 27 May. The second week of Red Line's industrial action is likely to cause the most disruption with hundreds of thousands due to fly abroad for the school holidays. Red Handling strikes were due to start on 11 May but were suspended for a week amid ongoing negotiations between its union and the company. Which airlines will be affected? More than 40 airlines operate from Gatwick - across 150 short-haul and 40 long-haul destinations. It is the largest UK hub for easyJet, with Ryanair, British Airways, TUI, Vueling and Wizz all flying from there too. Both easyJet and Ryanair say they do not anticipate any impact to their customers. What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed? If your flight is delayed or cancelled as a result of strikes by airline staff, you are entitled to compensation or a refund. However, strikes by third-party companies such as air traffic controllers, are not usually covered - as they are considered "extraordinary circumstances" under UK261 - the UK equivalent of EU aviation regulation. This could mean you are left out of pocket by this month's action - with those due to fly on the affected dates advised to consider their own contingency plans. Scott Dixon, a consumer and motoring disputes expert, says: "Industrial action by third-party staff, like baggage handlers or refuellers, is usually treated as an 'extraordinary circumstance' and outside of the airline's control. "Check your travel insurance policy to see if it covers strike-related delays or cancellations, especially if the strikes were announced before you bought your ticket." He adds: "Evidence is key on all complaints. Keep all receipts and records of expenses and take screenshots of communication from the airline. "Use the airline's official complaints process first. Airlines often stonewall these complaints and blatantly flout the law, knowing the majority of affected passengers will give up." Last-minute 'wildcat' strikes by third-party companies, which don't have the support of an official union, are not exempt under the 'extraordinary circumstance' criteria after the ruling by European judges in the German case of Helga Krusemann and others v TUIfly that airlines must provide compensation to ensure passengers arrive in their destination as planned. Why are staff striking - and what do they want? Staff at both companies are represented by Unite the Union, which claims employees are being underpaid, paid late, suffering missed or incorrect pension payments, and not getting proper breaks. Red Handling staff were offered a 4.25% salary increase this year - and 3% rise next year, alongside their sickness waiting period being reduced from three days to two, but they rejected the deal. They were then offered the 4.25% salary increase as part of a one-year deal but rejected this as well. Unite 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. We will back our members at Red Handling and Redline all the way during these disputes." What have Gatwick, airlines, and striking companies said? A Gatwick spokesperson told Sky News they are "working closely with both parties and our airlines to minimise impacts to passengers". "Of course, we hope Red Handling, Redline Oil and their unions can reach a resolution before then," their statement added. EasyJet said in a separate statement: "Should any action go ahead, contingency plans that we have been advised are in place mean we do not expect any impact and our flying programme which is currently planned to operate normally, so nothing different should be suggested."
