Families heading off on summer holidays this weekend face potential disruption as staff at Manchester Airport prepare to strike. The industrial action, part of a wave of walkouts across UK transport, could cause significant delays for passengers.
Around 100 security officers and terminal technicians at Birmingham Airport began continuous strike action from Tuesday 18 July, but Manchester Airport workers are also set to walk out. The strikes are over pay, with workers claiming they have suffered post-pandemic pay cuts.
Birmingham Airport offered a 10.1% pay rise, which was rejected by Unite union members. A spokesperson said: 'We are asking customers to put as much hand luggage as possible into the aircraft hold to limit the volume of items subject to pre-flight security checks and so minimise delays.'
The strikes are expected to affect airlines including TUI, EasyJet, Wizz, Ryanair, Lufthansa and Emirates. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 baggage handlers and check-in staff at Gatwick Airport will stage eight days of strikes from late July, affecting British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Westjet and Wizz Air.
Rail workers are also taking action, with train drivers at 15 operators imposing a week-long overtime ban from 31 July to 5 August. The RMT union has called three more strikes on 20, 22 and 29 July, involving 20,000 workers including station staff and train managers.
Passengers are advised to check with their airline or train operator before travelling and allow extra time for potential delays.
