PASSENGERS travelling through Gatwick Airport this weekend are set to face travel disruption due to planned strikes.
And there are further strikes to come in August after four new dates were announced.
Over 130 security workers are involved in the industrial action over poverty pay, which was confirmed earlier this month.
The staff members involved are employed by ICTS (UK) to scan passengers' luggage for explosive materials and other dangerous and prohibited items.
The strikes this weekend will be for 48 hours from 6am on Saturday August 10.
However, four new strike dates have now been announced by Unite the union, who represent the workers.
In a statement issued on August 6, the union said that ICTS (UK) have written to the union twice to say the strike is illegal and threatened to take disciplinary action against the staff involved, which may include them losing their jobs.
Unite has denied that the strike is unlawful and said that it will add four further dates due to the threats.
The new proposed dates start just ahead of the Bank Holiday, running from Tuesday August 20 until Saturday August 24.
Unite regional officer Jamie Major said: “The behaviour of ICTS is deplorable, rather than seeking to resolve the dispute through negotiation they have instead decided to threaten and intimidate our members.
“Rather than scare our members into submission this hamfisted attempt at intimidation has instead strengthened members’ resolve to secure a decent rate of pay.
Source: Read Full Article