Security personnel at Heathrow Airport plan to go on strike for 10 days during the Easter holiday.

Heathrow Security Personnel Plan to Strike for 10 Days during Easter Break Due to Payment Disagreement After Approving Walkouts

Posted: 6:30 PM Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), March 17th, 2023 | Revised: 9:00 PM Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), March 17th, 2023.

During the Easter holiday, there will be a strike by security guards at Heathrow Airport due to an ongoing disagreement regarding their compensation.

According to the Unite union, over 1,400 of its members who work for Heathrow Airports Ltd (HAL) have agreed to strike for ten days starting on March 31.

The protest is being carried out by the security personnel who work at Terminal Five. However, the airport management has stated that they have prepared alternate courses of action to handle the situation effectively.

As Easter approaches, more than a thousand Passport Office employees plan to go on a five-week strike. This has caused a lot of concern among British citizens, who are rushing to renew their passports in anticipation of potential delays.

Airport security personnel stationed at Heathrow Airport shall go on strike during the Easter holidays, protesting against pay-related issues. The strike shall include security guards who work in Terminal Five.

The airport expressed that they have formulated backup plans to address the situation. The photo captured travelers enduring travel hindrances at Heathrow Airport in November 2022 due to industrial action staged for pay-related issues.

According to the union, the airport's proposal to raise the pay by 10% would not suffice to offset the effects of pay cuts and freezes endured over several years. The image shows the disorganized luggage situation at Heathrow during the strikes that occurred in November.

According to Sharon Graham, the General Secretary of Unite, the workers within Heathrow Airport are currently earning very low wages, while the chief executive and other top-level managers are receiving hefty salaries.

The success of the airport largely depends on its workers, and it is only fair for them to receive an adequate salary increment.

A representative from Heathrow airport mentioned that travelers should not worry because they have backup plans that will ensure the airport remains operational, regardless of any unwarranted strike actions by Unite.

According to the airport representative, they have suggested a pay rise of 10 percent, which surpasses inflation and appears to be reasonable to the general public. A significant number of their coworkers have notified Unite, the union, that the proposed raise is not significant enough to warrant a strike.

We strongly encourage Unite to return to the negotiation table to talk about putting it into effect. Resorting to strike actions that could potentially ruin the well-deserved vacations of many individuals will not enhance the agreement.

We aim to act with integrity towards both our staff and customers. Every passing day only serves to hinder the prompt delivery of this wage increase to Unite members.

According to the union, the proposal from the airport to increase pay by 10% does not cover the damage caused by years of salary stagnation and reductions.

According to Ms. Graham, Heathrow's low wages make it impossible for our members to cover their expenses. Our members are taking strike action because they have no other choice, not because they are greedy.

Unite concentrates on giving utmost attention to its members' employment, remuneration and terms, whilst ensuring HAL is aware of the unwavering support that the airport workers will receive from the union.

Over a thousand individuals who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union and are employed in Passport Offices in various parts of the UK comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will engage in a protest beginning the 3rd of April and ending on the 5th of May. (Image used is for illustrative purposes only.)

In a related development, a significant increase in the number of participants is expected in the upcoming strike. Over 1000 members of the Public and Commercial Services union will be joining the strike from April 3 to May 5. This is part of an ongoing conflict over employment, salaries, and work environment standards.

The strike is causing concern that there will be a major effect on passport processing, adding even more pressure to an already overwhelmed system due to delays caused by Covid.

Typically, passport renewal takes up to 10 weeks. However, last year many individuals had to endure a lengthier wait time because of the surge in applications after the COVID travel limitations were lifted. Though pricey, fast-track options are obtainable.

The anticipated labor protest follows the recent demonstration by approximately 133,000 government employees across the United Kingdom. It was the most significant one-day strike of the year so far.