Ground operations staff at Gatwick Airport are set to go on strike over the Easter bank holiday weekend, potentially causing significant travel disruption during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Over 100 employees from Gatwick’s youngest ground handling company, Red Handling, all members of the Unite union, will take industrial action in a dispute over several unresolved issues, including unpaid pensions and delayed wages.
Who will be striking?
Those participating in the strike include baggage handlers, check-in agents, and flight dispatchers serving airlines such as Norwegian, Delta, TAP Air Portugal, and Air Peace.
Unite has warned that up to 50 flights per day could be affected, with passengers likely facing delays, cancellations, long queues at check-in, and baggage handling issues.
According to the union, the walkout stems from “the continued mishandling of the company pension scheme,” a problem they say has persisted for more than a year. Unite also claims that Red Handling staff have frequently experienced delayed wage payments, with some workers waiting up to two weeks to be paid.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“Workers have had enough of Red Handling playing fast and loose with their retirement plans and waiting weeks for pay they are rightfully owed. The union will not stand by while our members are treated in such an appalling manner. They have the full backing of Unite in this dispute.”
Unite regional officer David Taylor added:
“The treatment of these workers by Red Handling has been disgraceful. We’re calling for immediate payment of all outstanding pension contributions, compensation for lost retirement income, and reimbursement for all delayed wages.
“There are also serious health and safety concerns, with staff unable to take proper breaks between shifts. This must be addressed urgently.”
Taylor also noted that with Gatwick expecting its busiest period of the year so far, the strike is set to be highly disruptive. “This disruption is entirely of Red Handling’s own making,” he said.
The strike is scheduled to begin on Good Friday, 18 April, and continue daily until the early hours of Tuesday, 22 April.
A spokesperson for London Gatwick said:
“We are aware of the recent ballot outcome and the planned industrial action by Red Handling, which could impact thousands of passengers during this peak travel period. We are working closely with affected airlines, who contract directly with Red Handling, to support their contingency planning. We hope a resolution is reached before the strike begins. Passengers should contact their airlines directly for the latest updates.”
Who are Red Handling?
Red Handling was originally established as an in-house operations arm of Norwegian Airlines, operating under the name Norwegian Red Handling, with a strong presence at London Gatwick Airport. In 2021, the company was restructured into Red Handling UK—a joint venture between Norwegian Airlines and U.S.-based logistics firm Fenix Logistix.
Since its formation, the company has faced mounting criticism from employees, with negative reviews appearing on platforms such as Indeed and Glassdoor. Frequent complaints include inadequate or rushed training, lack of legally required breaks, and unresolved pension issues.
In a recent setback, Red Handling lost its contract to provide services for Norse Atlantic Airways at Gatwick to rival ground handler Swissport. Several staff members were transferred to the new provider under TUPE regulations as of April 2025.
Red Handling have not yet responded to request for comment.
Will your travel plans be affected by this upcoming strike action? Let us know in the comments below.
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