Strike at Gatwick Airport in South London likely to paralyse operations

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

The unions have called for a strike demanding higher wages and better service conditions. The staff are not employed by Gatwick Airport, they work for four companies- ASC, GGS, DHL Services, and Menzies Aviation. The representatives of the DHL Services and Unite are holding talks to resolve the issue and avoid the strike. But there are problems as Unite has rejected a demand for an 11 percent hike in wages. A spokesperson for Menzies Airlines said that this hike is in addition to the pay revision of 2022. But he said that negotiations are being held and both sides want to avoid the strike. But the unions point out that most of the workers get an average of GBP 12 per hour and work in difficult and demanding conditions. Many companies cut many jobs and many roles were made redundant during the pandemic. Now they are denying the much-awaited pay hike. The experts feel that if the strike takes place, it will further complicate the issue and put the British aviation industry under pressure as it is already under strain due to limited air space caused by Russia-Ukraine War. Besides, workers in air traffic controls are also planning a strike. It may force some airlines to cut flights. EasyJet has already canceled more than 1,700 flights. Airlines strike is looming large at a time there have been several strikes in other sectors like nursing, railways, metro services, Border Force staff, and Civil Services. They all are demanding increased wages as the living cost has gone up in the country.

Q1:What are the demands of airport unions? The airport workers are demanding an 11 percent pay hike above the pay revision of 2022. They also demand better working conditions. The firms providing services to the airport have rejected