Heathrow warning to passengers as security guards launch three-day strike over pay

Heathrow Airport is warning passengers to prepare for longer queues this week as security guards launch a three-day strike.

Members of the Unite union are calling for a “decent pay rise” after claiming that workers have suffered a 24% cut in real terms since 2017. Workers will walk out on 25, 26 and 27 May, coinciding with the start of the half-term holidays.

Heathrow has said that May half-term is always a busy time for travel and passengers may face longer than usual waits to clear security, but this will be “well-managed and kept flowing”.

The airport stressed it has contingency plans in place to ensure it continues operating as usual, adding that holidaymakers can expect to have a “smooth” half-term getaway.

May half-term is always a very busy time for travel, and Heathrow said it may take a little longer than usual to get through security, but added this will be “well-managed and kept flowing”.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “Passengers should not be concerned about strike action by Unite over the half-term getaway. The 15 days of strike action over the Easter peak and coronation weekends have had no impact on the smooth running of the airport, and passengers have not noticed any difference from the normal great service they expect at Heathrow.

“These strikes are completely unnecessary. When I speak to colleagues the overwhelming message is that they just want to vote on our pay offer, but Unite won’t let them.

“We made a generous 10% offer early on, to make sure colleagues got a substantial increase when they needed it most. Unite’s delays mean non-union colleagues, as well as the majority of colleagues who are union members, who voted to accept our previous offer are losing out.”

Despite assurances from Heathrow that the airport will run smoothly during strike days, Which? Travel Editor Rory Boland said passengers could still be impacted by delays over half term.

He said: “While it is positive to see Heathrow has put contingency plans in place to minimise disruption during the forthcoming strike action, those with flights booked over half term will no doubt still have concerns that their trips could be impacted.

“It’s essential that airlines and airports work together to keep travellers updated during this period of industrial action, and fulfil their legal obligations to passengers in the event of cancellations or delays.

“Travellers should also ensure they have travel insurance from the date they book their trip and always check the policy carefully, to ensure it covers all the eventualities you would expect – in particular, not all policies will cover travellers in the event of strikes by airline or airport staff, for example.”

The latest Heathrow walkout comes after Unite members previously held 15 days of strike action, including over the busy Easter period.

The union said security staff are currently paid less than workers at other major airports in London and the South East, adding that the strikes are a direct result of “Heathrow’s stubborn refusal to make an offer that meets our members’ expectations”.

Regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King said: “There is absolutely no justification for security officers at Heathrow being paid far less than comparable officers at other London airports.

“Heathrow regularly trumpets how successful it is as the UK’s premium airport so there is no defence in it paying bargain basement wages. Heathrow can clearly meet a cost-of-living increase for our members; they’re deliberately choosing not to, pushing our members deeper into financial difficulties.”