Nearly a thousand workers are set to take eight days of strike action at Gatwick Airport over the summer holidays, the Unite union has said.

Unite is warning that disruption, delays and cancellations are inevitable due to the scale of the action, which involves workers at four firms, including baggage handlers and ground staff.

Around 950 staff, employed by ASC, Menzies Aviation, GGS and DHL Services Ltd, will strike over two weekends at the end of July and the beginning of August.

The workers will strike initially for four days beginning on Friday 28 July and ending on Tuesday 1 August. 

After that, a further four strike days are planned, from Friday 4 August until Tuesday 8 August.

The airlines affected include British Airways, Easyjet, Ryanair, TUI, Westjet and Wizz, Unite said.

In addition to the four companies where an industrial action mandate has already been secured, Unite is also balloting its members at three other companies: DHL Gatwick Direct, Red Handling and Wilson James.

All three ballots will close on Monday 31 July and if workers vote for industrial action, the strikes in these companies could begin by the middle of next month, Unite said.

Unite Regional Officer Dominic Rothwell said: “Strike action will inevitably cause severe delays, disruption and cancellations across Gatwick’s operations but this dispute is entirely of the companies own making.

“They have had every opportunity to make our members’ a fair pay offer but have chosen not to do so.”

Travel Gossip has approached Gatwick for a comment.