Union warns Heathrow risks haemorrhaging security staff due to poor pay

The threat comes after 1,400 members of security staff at Heathrow Terminal 5 last week embarked on 10 days strike action, starting 31 March, as part of a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

Last-ditch talks between Heathrow and the union failed to break the deadlock, meaning, the action will continue until Easter Sunday, mainly impacting British Airways – the main user of Terminal 5.

According to Graham, the airport can “well afford” to put forward a renewed pay offer, as Unite has rejected a 10% increase backdated to January as well as a lump sum of £1,150. 

“How can Heathrow justify a pay rise from £800,000 to £1.5 million for its chief executive while they insist on keeping their own workers on poverty pay?,” she added.

Commenting on the survey, a Heathrow spokesperson insisted the airport was “a good employer.” 

“We know a majority of colleagues do not support these strikes and want to accept the 10% pay increase on the table – Unite simply refuses to allow them to vote on it,” they added. 

The airport has also stressed how its contingency plans – which include the deployment of an additional 1,000 guards – has “kept the airport operating normally.”