Heathrow Airport Easter strikes to proceed due to failed negotiations.

Get Expert Advice and Save Money by Subscribing to Simon Calder's Free Travel Email

Get Simon Calder's Travel Newsletter

Protests from the security personnel at Heathrow Airport are scheduled for Friday as the recent negotiations to compensate the issue were unsuccessful. The strikes could potentially disturb the travel plans of those on school holiday.

Approximately 1,400 individuals who are part of Unite will engage in a strike for a duration of 10 days, with the inclusion of the majority of the Easter weekend.

According to the union, negotiations came to a halt due to Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) not making significant progress in improving their salary proposal.

According to the General Secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, the workers at Heathrow should receive a higher salary increase since the organization has the necessary funds to support it.

This is a prosperous corporation that is poised to make a comeback in terms of profits. Lately, it has granted a tremendous salary increase to its CEO and distributed dividends to investors amounting to billions.

Despite this, the executives at Heathrow Airport seem to believe it is okay to provide little increase in wages to their security guards and ground staff, who are already receiving very low pay.

"Unite is fully committed to advocating for the well-being and livelihood of our members by prioritizing their occupation, remuneration and terms of employment. The workers at Heathrow Airport can count on our unwavering backing in their pursuit of a fair and reasonable agreement."

According to Wayne King, the regional co-ordinating officer of Unite, Heathrow Airport has missed its chance to prevent strikes from happening. Unite entered the meeting today hoping to receive an offer that their members would be willing to accept. However, it appears that HAL had no plans of avoiding any type of industrial action.

The strike is going to cause a lot of problems and hold-ups for travelers at the airport. The disagreement is happening because Heathrow Airport is not willing to give its employees a fair wage.

During the 10-day strike that concludes on Easter Monday, picket lines will be stationed around the airport on a continuous basis.

The protest encompasses the security personnel stationed at Terminal Five, a space which British Airways has sole access to. Additionally, the campus security staff in charge of inspecting all incoming airport loads is also involved.

Unite has stated that the strikes are likely to cause inconvenience to air travel, but Heathrow has reassured to have alternative measures in place to manage the upcoming strike.

A representative of Heathrow stated that the strikes will not be allowed to interrupt the well-deserved vacations of their travelers in an unwarranted manner.

Our backup strategies will ensure that the airport continues to function as usual throughout.

During the Easter holiday rush, we will be stationing an extra 1,000 employees, along with the entire management crew, to assist passengers in the terminals.

It is a fact that most coworkers do not back up the idea of a strike. Unite has recently declined to present an enhanced proposal to its members even though the PCS union wished to do so after additional discussions.

The individuals who work alongside you had the opportunity to receive a salary increase of 10% higher than the current inflation rate starting from January 1. Additionally, they could have been given a one-time payment of £1,150. However, due to the actions taken by Unite, they have not received any of these benefits.

Unite has declined to present the enhanced proposal to its members solely due to their apprehension that the members will approve it.

Heathrow airport stated that due to the ongoing strikes, passing through security checkpoints might take more time than the regular delay during peak hours.

The airport authority stated that travelers can assist in making sure they have an optimal beginning to their travels by verifying the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport. They should reach Heathrow no earlier than two hours before short distance flights, and three hours before long distance flights. Additionally, passengers should prepare for security by having their allowed liquids and electronic devices removed from their carry-ons.