More Luton Airport strikes on horizon

Security guards employed by London Luton Airport will step up their campaign against ‘heavy-handed’ shift changes with 12 consecutive days of strike action, including the bank holiday weekend.

The security guards responsible for searches, baggage checks and general security across the airport will strike for 12 days from Thursday, May 23 at 4.30am until Monday, June 3 at 8.59pm

London Luton Airport is attempting to push through a new shift pattern affecting around 120 security guards which forces them to work an extra 15 days a year and will only get 9 free weekends a year.

The previous series of strikes at the beginning of the month caused significant delays at Britain’s fifth busiest airport. The union has called on the airport to suspend the implementation of the new shift pattern to allow further talks.

A record 16.6 million passengers used Luton airport last year. Unite believes the recruitment of security staff has not matched increasing passenger numbers; instead the airport is putting all the burden on its existing workers, forcing them to work an extra 15 days a year.

95 per cent of the workers who took part in the ballot voted for strike action.

“Security guards at Luton Airport are preparing to step-up their campaign against management’s heavy handed changes,”  said Unite regional officer, Jeff Hodge.

“The airport is trying to force their staff to work significantly more unsocial hours. Workers will only get 9 weekends a year and will have to work an extra 15 days a year,” he added.

“Unite has notified Luton Airport that the workers are planning 12 days of strike action which include the bank holiday weekend.

“Unite believes the recruitment of security staff has not matched increasing passenger numbers and the airport is heaping the burden on its existing staff.

“The workers are standing firm and are determined to ensure the airport treats them fairly. The airport must suspend the implementation of the new shift pattern to allow further talks. It’s time for management to get around the negotiating table to reach a fair deal.”