Almost 1,000 workers at Gatwick Airport, including baggage handlers and check-in staff, are to strike in a dispute over pay.

Members of Unite employed by four private contractors will walk out for four days from July 28 and again for four days from August 4.

The union said the action will “inevitably” cause disruption to flights at the height of the summer holiday season.

Those involved in the dispute are employed by ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Services, which conduct outsourced operations for airlines including ground handling, baggage handling, ramp agent, dispatchers, and check-in.

The union has drawn a line in the sand and is committed to eradicating the scourge of low pay at the airport

Unite said it has been in negotiations with the four companies since January but claimed they have failed to make offers that meets the workers’ expectations.

The union’s general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members at Gatwick Airport undertake incredibly demanding roles and are essential to keeping the airport and airlines working, yet their employers somehow think it is acceptable to pay them a pittance.

“As part of Unite’s unyielding focus on the jobs, pay and condition of its members, the union has drawn a line in the sand and is committed to eradicating the scourge of low pay at the airport.”

A total of 4,410 flights are scheduled to depart Gatwick across all the strike days, equating to more than 840,000 seats, aviation data company Cirium said.

The airport is already suffering major disruption due to air traffic control (ATC) restrictions.

Strikes, staff shortages and air space closures related to the war in Ukraine mean ATC providers are limiting flight numbers across Europe.

Gatwick is the busiest single-runway airport in the world, but its flight numbers are currently capped at peak times due to the ATC issue.

The problem recently forced easyJet to cancel 1,700 summer flights, mostly from Gatwick.

A Gatwick spokesperson said: “We are aware of the recent ballot result and will support our airlines with their contingency plans to ensure that flights operate as scheduled.”

Downing Street declined to comment on whether it is right for private companies to show restraint over wages when asked about the walkout.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “It’s not for me to dictate to private companies what pay they set their staff.

The airports are sure to be extremely busy throughout July and August and, without doubt, if these strikes go ahead it will cause anxiety to travellers and potential disruption to their travel plans

“Obviously they will rightly decide what is appropriate. I think, again, across the board, we’ve seen wage increases in the private sector of around five to 7% on average. And obviously that’s in line with the (public sector pay) increases that we accepted yesterday.”

Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “With the UK school summer holidays upon us, the threat of striking by Gatwick Airport staff is yet another blow to the industry and will be further disappointing news for those who are looking to travel over the coming weeks.

“The airports are sure to be extremely busy throughout July and August and, without doubt, if these strikes go ahead it will cause anxiety to travellers and potential disruption to their travel plans.”

We are in continued discussions with our airline partners and remain committed to seeking a resolution

Phil Lloyd, senior vice-president UK, Menzies Aviation, said: “Sadly, Unite has rejected our earlier pay increase of 11% for our ground services employees at Gatwick Airport.

“This pay award relates to our 2023 pay review and is in addition to the 10% increase awarded in 2022.

“We are in continued discussions with our airline partners and remain committed to seeking a resolution.

“We have invited Unite to return to the table to continue discussions and hope to be able to reach an agreement which is workable for both the business and our employees.”

“We will continue to work to pursue an agreeable solution to protect service to our airline and airport partners and their customers.”

A spokesperson from DHL Supply Chain said: “We are disappointed to hear that Unite and its members have voted in favour of industrial action at our Gatwick ground handling operation.

“However, we continue to work closely with Unite to reach a satisfactory conclusion for all parties.”