Manchester United and Tottenham fans face huge disruption as Gatwick air staff are set to strike on a big travel day ahead of the Europa League final.
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Fans face travel disruption ahead of finalPlane staff set to strikeEuropa League final on WednesdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Trade union Unite have announced a strike for fuel refuellers at Gatwick Airport on May 20, the day before the Europa League final in Bilbao, that could cause huge disruption and expensive replacements for supporters getting to the game. A strike was suspended for two weeks as members voted on new terms, postponing walk-outs scheduled on May 18 and May 25. The industrial action is due to late and missing pension payments.
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Unite said: "Strikes by refuellers at Gatwick will go ahead after talks collapsed this week. This will cause major disruption to easyJet flights as the budget airline is one of the firm's main clients, with further delays to flights expected on non-strike days due to the backlog of work created by industrial action. Unite members at Redline will be taking action from tomorrow (16 May) until 20 May and from 23 May until 27 May."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
EasyJet are currently charging £700-900 for flights from Gatwick to Bilbao, meaning fans still keen to get there could pay huge fees and not receive a refund if the journey is cancelled, as it would count as an exceptional circumstance. Flights already booked could also be cancelled and cause disruption.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD AND TOTTENHAM?
United and Spurs will meet in the Europa League final on Wednesday, with the winner claiming much-needed silverware and a place in next season's Champions League.