Luton Airport passengers flying with easyJet could face disruption over the festive period as DHL check-in and baggage handling staff ballot for strike action in a dispute over pay.
Around 200 DHL employees who handle easyJet’s ground operations at Luton are being asked to vote on whether to strike after rejecting a pay offer that union officials described as falling far short of inflation. DHL has offered a 3.6 per cent rise from October 2025 and a further 0.6 per cent from January 2026, while the current RPI inflation rate stands at 4.5 per cent.
Unite the Union, which represents the workers, has warned that strike action could seriously affect easyJet’s services from Luton if no improved deal is reached before Christmas. The ballot runs until 4 December.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “DHL and easyJet are both extremely profitable companies and can fully afford to put forward a fair pay offer. Our members employed by DHL at Luton airport will receive maximum support from Unite to achieve a reasonable pay deal.”
In the second quarter of 2025, DHL Group reported operating profits up 5.7 per cent to €1.4 billion, while easyJet has forecast profits of more than £700 million for the year to September 2025.
Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge added: “Strike action can still be avoided but that will require an acceptable offer being tabled by DHL.”
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