Heathrow Airport faces strikes by security officers this summer

Heathrow Security Officers to Strike

Heathrow airport security officers who are members of the Unite union are set to strike for 31 days between 24 June and 27 August. This could lead to longer queues at terminals 3 and 5 and non-passenger checks. While previous strikes have had minimal impact on passengers due to Heathrow’s contingency measures, the fresh wave of strikes includes Terminal 3 workers for the first time. The strikes coincide with busy travel times, including the Eid festival (28, 29 and 30 June), the beginning of the school holidays (21, 22, 23 and 24 July) and the August bank holiday (24, 25, 26 and 27 August).

Reasons for the Strike

Unite union members are striking to demand a pay rise that beats the rate of inflation. They have rejected a below inflation pay offer of 10.1 per cent, while the higher rate of inflation, RPI, is now 11.4 per cent. A Heathrow spokesperson has stated they have a two-year inflation-beating pay rise ready for colleagues if the union would allow them to have a say. Unite has described this as a “major escalation” in its pay dispute with Heathrow.

Impact on Passengers

The strikes come as Heathrow airport tries to recover from the pandemic’s impact, with the airport’s operator recording a £139m loss in the first three months of this year. The walkouts threaten to lead to longer queues and delays in going through security, but it is unclear at this moment if they will result in any airlines canceling flights. However, according to Unite’s regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King, customers could expect inevitable delays, disruption and cancelations due to the strike action.

Advice for Passengers

Heathrow airport has stated they will do everything they can to minimize the disruption caused by the strikes. Unite members are not set to strike until after June 24, so passengers should keep an eye out for any flight cancellations or delays during that period. Those planning to travel during the strike period should factor in extra time while passing through security, and it is also advisable that passengers contact their airlines to confirm their travel details.

Conclusion

The upcoming Heathrow airport security staff strikes can lead to possible delays and inconvenience for passengers. However, the airport management team has assured that they are working to minimize the negative impact of the strike, and they are still in discussion with the Unite union. It is advisable for passengers to pay close attention to the status of their flights and to be prepared for delays during this period.