Planned strikes at Gatwick Airport have been suspended after workers received a new and improved pay offer.
220 members of the Unite union employed by Wilson James, who provide assisted travel services at the airport, were due to take industrial action from September 17 to 21 and again from September 23 to 26.
The strikes have now been suspended to allow workers to vote on the latest offer following fresh negotiations.
Ben Davis, regional officer for Unite, said: "After pay talks, Wilson James has come forward with a new, improved offer.
"In good faith, we have paused industrial action to allow members to have their say on whether they accept this."
READ MORE:
- London café launches £12.80 Full English just for plane and train passengers
- The London Tube station that's in two Travelcard zones and beside two boroughs
- The 250-year-old hidden palace that thousands walk past everyday
The dispute centres around pay, with workers having previously rejected a two-year deal that included a 3.4 per cent increase, a 0.6 per cent non-consolidated bonus, and a 0.5 per cent pension uplift for 2026.
Unite has argued that the offer does not reflect the increasing demands of the job or the rising cost of living in the area.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: "Wilson James is a highly profitable company which can more than afford to put forward a pay deal that reflects the hard work our members do.
"These workers are vital in the smooth running of the airport, doing a key role in assisting passengers on and off flights.
"Their jobs have become even more difficult as Gatwick has become busier."
Wilson James reported a profit before tax of £17.43 million last year, with its highest-paid director receiving a 38.7 per cent pay rise, taking their salary from £483,000 to £670,000.
The contract with Wilson James is funded by Gatwick Airport Ltd, which reported a profit before tax of £464.2 million in 2025.
Some of the lowest-paid workers at Wilson James currently earn £14.71 an hour.
A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said: "We are working with our assisted travel provider, Wilson James, to avoid any impacts and we expect to operate a normal flight schedule for our airlines and passengers on these dates.
"Of course, we hope Wilson James and their union can reach a resolution before then."
Share