Flight passengers at Gatwick airport could face further disruption next week as more than 220 assisted travel workers plan to strike over pay.
The walkout was announced by trade union Unite on Wednesday, the day after around 1,300 flights UK flights were grounded following a technical issue with air traffic control systems.
Thousands of passengers, including those flying from Gatwick airport, saw their flights cancelled or delayed.
The industrial action will take place from 17 September to 21 September, then 23 September to 26 September.
Unite has been in negotiations with the workers’ employer, aviation service provider Wilson James, since May.
Union members have unanimously rejected a two-year offer of a 3.4 per cent pay increase, a 0.6 per cent non-consolidated bonus and a 0.5 per cent uplift in pensions.
The union says that this offer “does not go far enough to address years of low pay at the firm”.
It claimed that the lowest-paid members at Wilson James recieve £14.71 per hour while living in an area with a high cost of living. Meanwhile, its highest-paid director received a 38.7 per cent pay rise last year.
Unite regional officer Ben Davis said: “Unite has been trying to negotiate a better pay deal for our members for months, however Wilson James has failed to put forward an offer that is acceptable to workers.
“Industrial action will inevitably disrupt services throughout Gatwick, but this is a direct result of Wilson James refusal to make a fair offer to our members. Strikes can be avoided, but that requires the company making a significantly improved offer.”
In a statement, Gatwick airport commented: “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.”
The Independent has contacted Wilson James for comment.