A union boss has claimed hundreds of flights either side of Christmas risk being delayed or cancelled after London Luton Airport workers voted for six-day strike
EasyJet passengers who are planning to fly in and out of London Luton Airport over the festive period have been warned of “travel turmoil” after workers voted to strike.
The Unite union, which is coordinating the industrial action, claimed six days of walk-outs threaten to “severely impact” easyJet’s Luton operations, with delays to flights expected as well as some cancellations. It estimated that over the six days of strikes – either side of Christmas – 410 easyJet flights will be affected. People who have booked dream trips to spend Christmas in the sun, and those visiting friends and families could be among those hit.
It comes after easyJet check in and baggage handling staff employed by DHL voted to strike in a row over pay. Workers are set to walk out for six days, with the first scheduled for December 19 and the last on December 28.
READ MORE: Jet2 flight chaos as cabin crew ‘attacked’ during fight on Tenerife-bound planeREAD MORE: Christmas market in lantern-lit old town with 30p beers and £1.50 hot chocolates
The staff who have voted to strike are outsourced to easyJet by DHL and work on check in desks and as baggage handlers. Unite says they operate on popular routes to and from Luton, including to countries such as Spain, Germany, Italy and Czech Republic.
Around 200 workers and members of Unite are taking action after rejecting the company’s latest offer of a 4.5% pay rise. Unite says workers do not believe this goes far enough to address alleged low pay rates, the current cost of living crisis and rising food, fuel and heating bills with workers struggling to afford essentials. It also says DHL workers at Gatwick earn around £3 an hour more for doing the same job.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “DHL and easyJet can comfortably afford to offer these workers an above-inflation pay rise. It is shameful that hardworking members can’t afford the basics and they are paid less than their counterparts. These companies must stop putting profits over people and come back to the table with a fair pay offer to avoid this disruptive strike, which is entirely of their making.”
One worker said: “I was in debt from a previous low paid job, but this hasn’t ended as my pay isn’t enough. I have the same routine of dedicating myself to a job where I can only cover rent and food. I can’t afford to save to give a better life to my child or spend enough time with my child.”
Strikes by DHL workers at Luton will take place from 3am on Friday December 19 to 3am Monday December 22, then from 3am on Boxing Day to 3am on Monday December 28.
The Civil Aviation Authority is expecting this to be the busiest Christmas in UK aviation history, with millions expected to travel this festive season. Luton, a major base for easyJet, handled more than 16.2 million passengers in 2023, with 1.2 million of these travelling through the terminal in December that year.
Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge said: “We know passengers set to fly easyJet from Luton on these dates will be concerned, but the dispute is entirely the fault of DHL who can well afford to pay these workers a wage they can live on but are choosing not to. Strike action could still be avoided, but that now hinges on DHL returning to negotiations with an offer that is acceptable to our members.”
A DHL spokesperson said: We are deeply disappointed that 57% of Unite members have voted in favour of industrial action at our London Luton Airport operation. Our current pay offer is above-inflation and continues to build on four consecutive years of above-inflation pay increases.
“We remain committed to constructive talks to reach a solution that recognises the value of our colleagues while safeguarding the long-term competitiveness of the operation. However, robust contingency plans are in place to minimise any potential disruption should the action go ahead.”
EasyJet said: “We are disappointed to hear of the planned industrial action by Unite ground handlers employed by DHL at London Luton Airport. Should this action go ahead, we will work closely with the airport and DHL to ensure that robust contingency plans are in place to minimise any disruption so we are currently expecting to operate our full flying programme on these dates. In the meantime we urge DHL and Unite to reach an agreement as soon as possible.”
