Heathrow workers announce 33 new strikes sparking fresh chaos for holidaymakers

02 June 2023 , 16:54

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It comes after security officers based at Heathrow's terminal 5, and its campus security went on strike for a total of eight days last month (Image: PA)

Security guards at Heathrow Airport are to stage a series of 33 fresh strikes in a dispute over pay, Unite has announced.

The union said industrial action would take place almost every weekend from June 17 to the end of August. It vowed that industrial action would continue until what it called a “fair pay offer” was made.

It comes after security officers based at Heathrow's terminal 5, and its campus security went on strike for a total of eight days last month.

Heathrow, which lost over £4bn during the pandemic and remains lossmaking today, was blasted as “the poverty pay citadel” of the capital’s airports, as the country suffers through a cost of living crisis.

Unite regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King last month said: "Unite has given Heathrow Airport every opportunity to make an improved pay offer, which could have led to the strike action being suspended. Sadly, they refused to grasp the opportunity to make an offer which could meet members’ expectations."

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Heathrow, which lost over £4bn during the pandemic and remains lossmaking today, was blasted as “the poverty pay citadel” of the capital’s airports, as the country suffers through a cost of living crisis. (Getty Images)

The union have warned that security officers at Heathrow make up to £6,000 a year less than their counterparts at Stansted or Gatwick airports.

Unite research has found that since 2017, pay for the airport’s employees has fallen by 24 per cent in real terms.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Heathrow prides itself on being the UK’s premium airport – it is bigger and handles more flights and cargo than any other.

The union have warned that security officers at Heathrow make up to £6,000 a year less than their counterparts at Stansted or Gatwick airports (AFP via Getty Images)

"So it is frankly indefensible that security officer pay is far lower than other London airports. Imagine, the so-called ‘best in Britain’ is actually a citadel for poverty pay. How can this be justified?"

Meanwhile, chief executive John Hollan-Kaye saw his pay almost double from £800,000 to £1.5million from 2020-21, the union claimed.

Abigail O'Leary