Gatwick baggage handlers’ strike threat

Baggage handlers for Norwegian are threatening to strike after allegedly being offered a company barbecue instead of an annual pay rise.

Their union Unite will begin balloting 190 members at Gatwick airport today.

The workers are employed by Omni Serv, which undertakes ground operations duties as well as baggage handling.

However, the contract is tendered by Red Handling, which is a subsidiary owned by Norwegian.

Unite said it understands that Red Handling is making the key decisions on pay and, rather than offering workers an annual rise, the union said it suggested a company barbecue instead.

The ballot will close on October 13.

Unite regional officer Jamie Major said: “Workers want bucks, not burgers. Our members are not going to be palmed off with a few burnt sausages on a barbecue, instead of a pay rise. Our members need to be able to afford to eat every day.

“The annual pay rise was due in May. Since then, the employer has made a derisory offer which has been overwhelmingly rejected by our members.

“I have extended an invitation to meet with the company to avoid strike action, if it agreed to put a fair offer on the table, but even this overture that has been ignored.

“Strike action will inevitably cause severe disruption for Norwegian’s passengers at Gatwick airport. Our members only consider taking strike action as a last resort. This dispute is of Red Handling and, therefore, Norwegian’s own making.

“This dispute can still be averted if Red Handling and Norwegian are prepared to ensure our members receive a fair pay offer.”

A Norwegian spokesperson said: "A company event was organised as a ‘thank you’ to Red Handling staff for their hard work during the first nine months of operations. This was arranged before any issues were first raised by the union, so it is factually inaccurate to suggest they are in any way connected.

“Red Handling at Gatwick is a start-up operation less than a year old so funding for year one has been focussed on business set-up costs, and significant investment in new equipment, office accommodation, uniform, and training for crew. Nonetheless, at the start of the new operation all staff were employed under competitive contracts that were benchmarked against industry levels, and which include options for an end-of-year bonus in year one and provision for pay increases in year two of operations.

"In addition, an increased pay offer and further concessions have already been offered to the union earlier this month which we believe are a fair and attractive deal for all staff.

“Our partners Omniserve have tried to engage with the local union representative on several occasions to discuss this offer but to no avail. We therefore think that strike action would be an unnecessary and unhelpful step.

“Nonetheless, if a strike were to go ahead, Red Handling have enough staff and contingency plans in place to ensure flights can operate as normal, with minimal impact to passengers. Red Handling and Omniserve remain open to constructive dialogue with union representatives at any stage."