Heathrow security guards call off first summer strike

2,000 or more staff announced the postponement of industrial action on June 24th and 25th.

However, members unite union The strike will continue for the remaining 29 days of the summer if no agreement is reached with Heathrow management.

Security guards at Terminal 3 will join their colleagues at Terminal 5, operated by British Airways, on the picket line for the first time on 28 June.

Affected dates include Eid festivals on June 28, 29 and 30, the start of school holidays and the bank holiday weekend in August.

A Unite spokeswoman said: “The payroll strike will result in security guards at Terminals 3 and 5 and campus security (all employees and vehicles entering the airport) on Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th. ) was scheduled to leave,” he said. .

“Last week, following extensive consultations with the union Unite, HAL (Heathrow Airport Limited) offered to improve salaries and, as a show of goodwill by the unions, the first strike was called off.”

Wayne King, Head of Regional Coordination at Unite, said: “Following extensive negotiations over the past week, a new offer has been made by HAL.

“Going forward, members will have a vote on the latest proposal to determine whether it meets expectations.”

A spokesman for Heathrow Airport said: “We are delighted to have agreed to a wage deal that the union encourages its members to accept.

“This means a lot to my colleagues, as they will be guaranteed an above-inflation salary increase for two years in addition to the additional benefits and guarantees they had hoped for.

“We encourage them to accept this agreement to ensure that everyone gets the pay raises many have been waiting for in the past.

“Voting is going on, but the first weekend of strikes has been called off.”

Heathrow Airport Chief Executive John Holland-Kay said he did not expect the strike to result in flight cancellations.

“Throughout the eight-day strike on the busiest days of May, we have been providing excellent service to our passengers with no cancellations and no strike cancellations are expected during the summer vacation,” he said. Stated.

A BA spokeswoman said the airline “is working closely with Heathrow to ensure a robust contingency plan”.

The dates of the called strikes are June 28-30, July 14-16, 21-24, 28-31, August 4-7, 11-14, 18-20 and 24. ~ 27 days are also eligible.