Heathrow Security Staff to Strike for 10 Days Over Easter

• Content
• News
• Heathrow Security Staff to Strike for 10 Days Over Easter

28 March 2023

Over 1,400 security guards employed by Heathrow Airport will strike between 31 March and 9 April in a dispute over pay.

The strike action involves the security guards employed at Terminal Five, which is used exclusively by British Airways and Campus security guards who are responsible for checking all cargo that enters the airport.

The strike is a result of Heathrow Airports Ltd (HAL) offering a pay rise of ten per cent. Union argues that this is a pay cut in reality, with the real inflation rate (RPI) currently standing at 13.4 per cent.

Workers are reporting that due to a combination of low pay and the cost of living crisis, they are unable to make ends meet. A security guard at the airport is paid as little as £24,000 a year.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers at Heathrow Airport are on poverty wages while the chief executive and senior managers enjoy huge salaries. It is the airport’s workers who are fundamental to its success and they deserve a fair pay increase.

“Our members are simply unable to make ends meet due to the low wages paid by Heathrow. They are being forced to take strike action due to need not greed.

“Unite has a laser-like focus on prioritising the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and HAL needs to be in no doubt that the workers at the airport will receive the union’s unstinting support.”

Heathrow Airport Wars Customers to Expect Delays

On strike days, passengers will only be allowed to travel through security with two items of hand baggage (carry-on baggage). They advise customers to arrive no earlier than two hours before short-haul flights, and three hours for long haul.

Travellers should also ensure that their hand luggage is security ready – liquids in a separate, sealed see-through bag (max. size 100ml), remove large electricals and place in a separate tray.

Heathrow’s VIP suite will not be open to departing passengers on strike days.

Picture: a photograph of an airport departure board. A parent and their child stand in front of the board, with a child pointing up at the board. Image Credit: Heathrow Airports Limited

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 28 March 2023

Share

Related Articles