Callum Joyce, Socialist Party southern region
Unite members at Gatwick Airport took strike action over the Easter weekend after their employer, Red Handling, routinely failed to make correct payments into their pensions, as well as implementing new, unpopular working conditions.
Around 50 workers stood on the noisy and vibrant picket line – many of them young and taking strike action for the first time. One of the union reps reported that they have seen an increase in the number of workers joining the union in recent years.
It was clear that Red Handling bosses have brought this dispute on themselves through the dismissive way they treat their own workforce. Workers are missing out on wages they are rightfully owed but, strikers told us, just as the strike started, one of the top managers has gone on a two-week holiday to Las Vegas!
One striker described Red Handling as “the worst company I’ve worked for” and reported even having to carry out their own payroll to ensure that payments were being made correctly.
One striker reported that the company has previously pleaded poverty, trying to justify their failure to properly pay staff. The Socialist Party says that Red Handling’s books should be opened to democratic inspection by the workers and their trade union to see if that is really the case – don’t trust the reports of fat-cat managers.
The airport should be nationalised – along with all the subcontracted companies like Red Handling – under workers’ democratic control, to provide a decent public service as part of a properly integrated transport system, rather than lining the pockets of greedy shareholders.
One striking worker spoke to the Socialist:
Why are you on strike today?
“We’re on strike today because of lack of payment of pensions, late payment of pensions, not being paid on the day we’re meant to be paid, and not being paid correctly.”
What would you say to the management of Red Handling?
“They just need to pay what they’re meant to pay. We’ve got to the point where we don’t have much choice really. We’ve tried talking to them and they just don’t want to know.”
Do you have any message for bin workers in Birmingham who are currently on strike?
“We’re all in this same problem together aren’t we? Companies need to pay what they need to pay. Pay people correctly and a decent, fair wage.”
