The IWGB Private Hire Drivers are calling on Gatwick and Heathrow airports to address their disastrous shortages of toilets, and ensure all drivers can access clean, safe and sanitary toilets when they need to.

Despite delivering an essential service to the thousands of people travelling to and from two of London’s busiest airports, and paying private hire drivers at both Heathrow and Gatwick airports can’t even go to the toilet when they need to.

Currently, the few toilets available to the hundreds of drivers at these airports are completely insufficient and shockingly unsanitary. If men need to use the toilet during the extended periods they spend waiting, they are forced to join long queues and, once at the front, often find facilities out of order and in a completely unacceptable state. Women aren’t provided any toilets whatsoever.

The impact of these substandard facilities is significant: without a clean, safe, private space to use the toilet in, drivers’ long days become unbearable, as they are forced into taking desperate measures that no one should have to resort to.

We are calling on management to:

• Increase the number of toilets in view of the large numbers of drivers that need to use them

• Provide toilet facilities for women drivers

• Ensure the sanitation of the toilets through more frequent cleaning

• Adapt the toilets to meet drivers’ religious and cultural requirements, including washing facilities where needed

• Meet regularly with representatives from the drivers’ union to discuss the maintenance of the toilets

It would not be difficult for these airports to install more toilets, but the difference it would make to drivers’ day to day lives would be considerable, relieving their stress and giving them the dignity, comfort and safety that every person deserves.

Sign this petition to add your name to the campaign and demand Heathrow and Gatwick take action.