Airline passengers at Gatwick Airport may face delays due to planned strikes by over 220 assisted travel workers, according to Unite, a major trade union. The industrial action is set to occur in two phases: from 17 to 21 September, and again from 23 to 26 September. These workers provide support to passengers with special needs, such as helping them navigate the airport or assisting with mobility. Unite has been in ongoing negotiations with Wilson James, the company that employs these workers, since May. The union has rejected a proposed pay deal that includes a 3.4 per cent increase over two years, a 0.6 per cent non-consolidated bonus, and a 0.5 per cent increase in pension contributions. Unite says this offer fails to address long-standing concerns about low wages. It points out that the lowest-paid workers earn £14.71 per hour, which is below the local cost of living, while the company’s highest-paid director received a 38.7 per cent pay rise last year. The union argues that the proposed deal does not reflect the disparity in pay within the company. Unite regional officer Ben Davis said the union has been negotiating for months but has not received an offer that workers find acceptable. He emphasized that the strikes are a direct result of the company’s refusal to make a fair offer. According to Davis, the disruption to services at Gatwick is unfortunate but necessary to push for better pay and conditions. He added that the strike can be avoided if Wilson James offers a significantly improved deal. Gatwick Airport has stated that it is working closely with Wilson James to minimize the impact of the strikes on passengers and airlines. The airport expects flights to operate normally on the scheduled strike dates and hopes the company and union can reach an agreement before then. Wilson James has not yet commented on the situation, but the airport remains optimistic that a resolution can be reached.