Business Travellers Could be Hit by Strike Action Planned at London’s Heathrow Airport

Over 4,000 staff at Heathrow, the UK’s largest airport, have announced planned strikes which could cause severe delays and disruption as the union Unite announces a series of staff strikes at the airport’s five terminals.

Staff at Heathrow will walkout over pay disputes - this includes security officers, engineers, passenger service operatives and passenger service drivers and over 90 fire and rescue workers are set to strike on:

• Friday 26 July
• Saturday 27 July

The proposed industrial action due to take place on 26th and 27th July has been postponed.

However, Unite the union plans to take industrial strike action at Heathrow on the dates below:

• Monday 5 August
• Tuesday 6 August
• Friday 23 August
• Saturday 24 August

Unite has described the action as “a move that could potentially shut down the airport”. and one that “could create summer travel choas”

Unite regional coordinating officer Wayne King said: “There is deepening anger over pay among workers who are essential to the smooth running of Heathrow Airport.

“They are fed up of being expected to accept crumbs while the chief executive pockets an eye popping 103 per cent rise in his pay package and shareholders are handed dividends of over £2 billion in the last two years alone.”

The planned strikes follow the rejection of an 18-month pay offer in which the union said the airport’s current pay offer amounted to £3.75 a day extra for its lowest-paid workers.

Will your business travel plans be affected?

Heathrow says it has contingency plans to remain open and operate safely ensuring that flights coild still take off and land during one of the busiest period of the year.

“We will be alongside our airline partners to minimise disruption cause to passengers as they look towards their well-deserved summer holidays,”

If you’re concerned about an upcoming business trip or booking flights, speak to your Traveleads consultant as soon as possible.