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Airport facing threat of 'toilet hell' as cleaners plan walkout

Air
Will Payne
4 August 2023

Luton airport is facing threat of strike action this summer after cleaners announced plans to walkout in a dispute over pay.

A festive seasonal storm of rail, Border Force and ground handler strikes have challenged the travel sector

Thousands of travellers were left stranded at overseas airports or had to endure delays or cancellations

The 30 plus workers who are members of the Unite union are employed by Sasse Ltd on an outsourced contract.

The staff, who are currently paid £10.90 an hour, have rejected a pay increase of 5% for day workers and 7% for night workers.

As a result, the union has announced two initial 24-hour strikes beginning at 6:30am on Friday 11 August, with the second strike taking place from the same time on Wednesday 30 August.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Sasse has been caught red handed. It is prepared to pay out huge amounts in dividends, yet it doesn’t believe it is necessary to give its very low paid cleaners a fair pay increase."