
EasyJet staff prepare for strike over Christmas due to pay dispute
EasyJet staff prepare for strike over Christmas due to pay dispute
- Around 200 EasyJet check-in and baggage handling staff at Luton Airport voted to strike over Christmas.
- Workers rejected a 4.5% pay rise, citing it does not meet the rising cost of living.
- The strike could lead to significant travel disruptions for passengers during a peak holiday period.
Story
In the United Kingdom, EasyJet passengers may experience significant disruption during the Christmas travel season due to an impending strike by check-in and baggage handling staff at Luton Airport. The strike is scheduled to commence at 3 am on December 19, 2025, and will continue until December 22, 2025, with a subsequent resumption from December 26, 2025, until December 29, 2025. Approximately 200 employees, represented by the Unite union, have opted for this action after rejecting a 4.5% pay raise proposed by DHL, the external employer for these staff. The workers claim that this offer does not sufficiently address their rising living costs, particularly concerning essential expenses such as food, fuel, and heating bills. The workers expressed their frustration, noting that colleagues performing the same roles at Gatwick Airport earn about £3 more per hour. One employee articulated a common sentiment, sharing their struggles with debt and their inability to improve their quality of life for their family. The union's leadership, including General Secretary Sharon Graham and regional officer Jeff Hodge, contended that both DHL and EasyJet are capable of providing a more substantial pay increase that reflects inflation rates. They urged the companies to reconsider their stance, emphasizing that the strike is a direct consequence of management's failure to prioritize employee welfare. The strike will take place during two of the most crucial travel weekends of the year, potentially leading to delays and cancellations of hundreds of EasyJet flights at Luton Airport. Passengers scheduled to travel during this period have been advised to stay updated on their flight status to brace for potential disruptions and long wait times at check-in and baggage areas. This strike not only signifies a struggle for fair wages but also represents a growing discontent among workers in the sector, reflecting broader economic challenges facing many in similar positions across the country. The situation remains dynamic as both unions and companies engage in discussions to find a resolution that could avert the planned strike action. As the scheduled strike dates approach, the involvement of two major players in the aviation and service sector raises questions about labor rights, profit distribution, and how they impact the workforce. Stakeholders and the general public await further developments in this contentious negotiation as the unions prepare to take decisive action to ensure their members receive equitable compensation for their hard work during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.