Travellers could face potential disruption over the Easter holidays as hundreds of airport workers get set to go on strike.

Baggage handlers and flight dispatchers from Red Handling Staff are set to take industrial action at Gatwick airport in a row over unpaid pensions, "illegal" shift patterns and delayed payments. The Unite union announced the action, which could see staff of Delta Norwegian Airlines and Air Peace walk out, affecting up to 50 flights a day. The action at the UK’s second busiest airport is timed to coincide with one of the busiest times of the year as travellers prepare to get away over the Easter period. Holidaymakers have been warned that they face potential flight delays, cancellations and long queues on departure and arrival.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Workers have had enough of Red Handling playing fast and loose with their retirement plans and waiting weeks for pay they are rightfully owed for their hard work.

"The union will not stand back and watch members be treated in such an appalling way and they have the full support of Unite in this dispute."

The union claims staff had payments missing or incorrect whilst others believe that the airline has failed to establish pension schemes.

Workers also claim new shift patterns mean they are not getting a minimum of 11 hours between shifts, which they say is a legal requirement.

Unite regional officer David Taylor was forthright in his views on the treatment of staff by their employers.

He said: "The way the workers have been treated by Red Handling has been nothing short of a disgrace.

"We’re demanding that Red Handling pay all outstanding pension contributions immediately and compensate staff for retirement money they've lost, as well as commit to reimbursing them for late payments.

"There is also a health and safety issue due to Red Handling workers not being able to take adequate breaks so they can rest between shifts and we urge the company to take this seriously.

"Gatwick Airport says it expects the Easter holiday to be its busiest period of the year so far, so there is no doubt that industrial action over the long weekend will be extremely disruptive for travellers. However, this is a dispute entirely of Red Handling's own making."

Red Handling Staff has been contacted for comment.