Ground Services

Wizz Air ground handling staff at Luton set to strike in March

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Baggage handlers and check-in staff who provide ground handling services to low-cost carrier Wizz Air at London Luton Airport are set to strike for one week in March over pay, according to the Unite union.

The union reports that staff employed by GH London Ground Handling Services (formerly Azzurra Ground Handling) have voted in favour of the week-long strike from 18:00h on Sunday, 3 March until 17:59h on Sunday, 10 March.

Staff are unhappy over the company’s decision to impose a pay freeze, with 96 per cent of those taking part in the ballot supporting the strike.

Unite said it submitted a pay claim at the beginning of 2018, and said that it has only been since workers voted to strike that GH London Ground Handling Services has requested talks.

Wizz Air operates around 42 routes from Luton mainly serving mainly Central and Eastern Europe.

Unite regional officer, Jeff Hodge said: “Unite has been calling for meaningful talks with GH London since the beginning of 2018. This strike vote is a result of the company’s failure to listen to its workforce, who face a cut in their living standards. Now that the company is prepared to meet, we hope we can get constructive talks underway to resolve this dispute.

“Luton airport is one of the busiest airports in the UK. A strike by baggage handlers and check-in staff will cause considerable disruption to flights. It is time for GH London to recognise the contribution workers make by increasing pay so they can keep up with the rising cost of living.”

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