Airport baggage handlers accept new pay offer

Two hundred workers at London Luton Airport have voted to accept a pay offer after strike action was held in December, the Unite union has said.

EasyJet check-in and baggage handling staff employed by DHL Group walked out between 19 and 22 December after rejecting the company's offer of a 4.5% pay rise.

When an improved offer of 5.5% was made, action planned between 26 and 28 December was called off ahead of the vote.

DHL said the agreement was reached after "positive talks".

Unite said the 18-month deal included a 5.5% increase backdated to October, a 25% increase to night shift premiums and a £250 payment in April 2026.

Sharon Graham, general secretary, said: "Congratulations to Luton's DHL workers, who by demanding better pay and taking strike action secured an excellent deal."

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

The union said it had worked with DHL and the conciliation service Acas on the offer.

A spokesperson for DHL Supply Chain, one of DHL's core divisions, said: "Following positive talks with Unite, we can confirm that the union has accepted our revised pay offer."

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