Wilson James (UNITE) Strike Calendar

Strikes by over 220 workers at London Gatwick Airport have been averted after accepting an improved pay offer. The workers, employed by Wilson James to provide assisted travel to passengers, had previously planned an eight-day walkout before strikes were suspended to vote on the offer.

Under the agreed deal, staff will receive a 5 percent pay increase backdated to April, a 0.5 percent increase in employer pension contributions, and a pay increase in 2027 of either CPI plus one percent or 3.5 percent, whichever is greater.

Planned strikes by 220 Unite members working for Wilson James at London Gatwick Airport have been suspended after the employer tabled a new pay offer.

The staff, who assist passengers on and off aircraft, had been scheduled to walk out from 17 to 21 September and from 23 to 26 September.

The industrial action has been paused to allow union members to vote on the revised pay proposal following negotiations.

Over 220 assisted travel workers employed by Wilson James at London Gatwick Airport will take strike action in September following a dispute over pay. Members of Unite unanimously rejected a two-year pay offer consisting of a 3.4 per cent increase, a 0.6 per cent non-consolidated bonus, and a 0.5 per cent pension uplift for 2026, followed by CPI plus 0.5 per cent the following year.

Industrial action is scheduled to take place from 17 to 21 September and from 23 to 26 September. The strikes are expected to cause flight delays across short-haul and long-haul services due to extended boarding and disembarking times for passengers requiring assistance.

Strikes by around 800 Heathrow workers employed by Wilson James to provide services for passengers with restricted mobility have ended following the acceptance of an improved pay deal. The workers voted to accept a 7.5 per cent pay increase backdated to January 2025, with wages increasing by a further 5 per cent in April 2026. The deal also includes a day’s extra annual leave, improved holiday booking flexibility and an industry benchmarking commitment to ensure pay remains fair and competitive well into the future.

Around 500 Heathrow Wilson James workers providing assistance to passengers with restricted mobility (PRM) are taking further strike action beginning tomorrow (24 April). The Wilson James workers are angry at being paid considerably less than their colleagues at Gatwick despite performing the same role. Wilson James workers at Heathrow walk an average of 13 miles a day while providing transport across the airport, emotional reassurance and kindness to passengers who are often stressed and overwhelmed.