Heathrow security guard strikes over after workers accept new pay deal
Heathrow Airport (Steve Parsons/PA)
/ PA Wirehe long-running dispute involving security officers at Heathrow Airport has ended after workers voted to accept an improved pay offer, union Unite has said.
More than 2,000 security officers at Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5 and campus security were due to take 31 days of strike action throughout the summer, but talks resumed which Unite said led to an improved pay offer.
The union said workers will receive an increase of between 15.5 and 17.5 per cent.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This was a hard won victory which demonstrates what can be achieved when workers stand together and take action together
“The pay deal at Heathrow is a further demonstration of how Unite’s complete focus on jobs, pay and conditions is having direct benefits for its members.”
Security guard members of the Unite union on the picket line at Heathrow Airport, London in March this year (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
/ PA WireA Heathrow spokesman said: “We are pleased to confirm Unite members have voted to accept a two-year above-inflation pay deal, ending the current dispute and allowing the strikes to be called off.
“We can now move forward together and focus on delivering an excellent summer for our passengers.”
British Airways cancelled around five per cent of its schedule at Heathrow during strikes over the Easter holiday period, but no flights were grounded due to walkouts during last month’s half-term break.
During previous strikes, the airport’s contingency plans have included deploying office staff to assist passengers entering security checkpoints.