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Gatwick sale must protect passenger services and workers' pay and pensions 

21st October 2009

Unite, the largest union in aviation, has called for an immediate meeting with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) following news today (Wednesday) that BAA has agreed to sell London Gatwick Airport to the group for £1.51 billion as uncertainty over who the future employer could be ended for thousands of workers at the airport.

The union called for immediate meetings with the new owners to discuss a range of concerns regarding operations at the airport.

Brian Boyd, Unite national officer for civil aviation, said: “While this sale is still subject to approval in Europe, Unite welcomes confirmation of who will take ownership of Gatwick. It ends months of uncertainty for many members as to whom their new employer will be.

“Our primary objective now is to meet with the Global Infrastructure Group as soon as possible to ensure that the safeguards we associate with the continued employment of our members at the country’s second largest airport, are in place.”

Unite represents thousands of airline and ground staff working at Gatwick airport, who provide services for the 34 million passengers who fly through Gatwick each year. The sale to GIP, forced on BAA as a pro-competition measure, sees two of London’s airports now owned by the GIP. The union is concerned to ensure that the sale safeguards services, and workers' terms and conditions, as upheld by BAA.

Steve Turner, Unite national officer for civil aviation, added: “We have an agreement in place with BAA which protects the workers’ terms and conditions including, importantly, their final salary pension scheme. Our concern now is to ensure that this agreement has come through the sale intact.

“The desire for competition between airports risks more uncertainty for a sector already hit badly by recession, and which urgently needs continuity and stability. We will be seeking to talk with GIP immediately to ensure the takeover process does not bring further instability to the Gatwick workforce, and ensures the smooth continuation of the services passengers rely on during their journey.”

GIP is an investment company. It already owns a 75 per cent stake in London City Airport. BAA will also have to sell either Glasgow or Edinburgh airports to satisfy the regulators’ demand for competition between airports.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Pauline Doyle on 07976 832 861