Heathrow workers to vote on strike action in pay dispute

Security guards, engineers and firefighters with the Unite union have rejected a 10% pay increase.

A plane takes off past the control tower at Heathrow (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Archive)

Workers at Heathrow airport are to vote on whether to strike in a dispute over pay.

Unite said over 3,000 of its members working as security guards, engineers and firefighters will begin balloting for strike action on February 17.

The ballot will close a month later.

The workers have rejected a 10% pay increase, which Unite says is a pay cut, because of the rate of inflation.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Heathrow Airport is guilty of gross hypocrisy, it is paying telephone number salaries to its chief executive and senior managers, but the workers who make the company a success are on poverty wages.

“Unite never takes a backward step when fighting for its members’, jobs, pay and conditions and our members at Heathrow Airport will receive the union’s complete support.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We are extremely disappointed that Unite is tabling a formal ballot for industrial action.

“This step unnecessarily escalates matters and if strikes do go ahead the pay offer will be withdrawn.

“Since last November, discussions with our unions have resulted in an offer of a 10% increase on salary, shift pay and allowances this year on top of a 4% increase six months ago – this is despite Heathrow remaining loss-making and with significant uncertainties facing our business, including the spectre of Covid travel restrictions which we have already seen re-introduced just this year.”