Airport to face strikes by staff over Christmas

Passengers flying from London Luton Airport during the festive season have been warned of disruption as workers prepare to strike, a union says.

Unite said easyJet check-in and baggage handling staff at the Bedfordshire airport, who were employed by DHL Group, were set to walk out for six days in a dispute over pay.

About 200 workers are due to take the action on certain days between 03:00 GMT on 19 December and 03:00 on 29 December after rejecting the company's latest offer of a 4.5% pay rise, the union says.

DHL said it was "deeply disappointed" at the strike action and said it was "committed to constructive talks to reach a solution".

Meanwhile, easyJet said it was also "disappointed" and would "work closely" with partners to "minimise any disruption".

Workers, who are members of the union, voted to take the strike action.

Unite raised concerns over other DHL workers at London Gatwick Airport earning about £3 extra an hour for the same job.

Jeff Hodge, the union's regional officer, 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."

Staff are expected to walk out between 19 December and 03:00 on 22 December, and from 03:00 on 26 December to 03:00 on 29 December.

The union said about 410 flights would be affected during this period.

The Civil Aviation Authority is expecting this to be the busiest Christmas in UK aviation history, with millions expected to travel this festive season, the union said.

DHL said 57% of the union members among its staff voted in favour of the strike action.

A spokesperson continued: "Our current pay offer is above-inflation and continues to build on four consecutive years of above-inflation pay increases.

"However, robust contingency plans are in place to minimise any potential disruption should the action go ahead."

An easyJet spokesperson said: "We will work closely with the airport and DHL to ensure that robust contingency plans are in place."

The company was expecting to operate a full-flying programme on the affected dates, the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the airport said it would work with easyJet to "understand the contingencies".

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