First two days of Heathrow summer strikes called off

The Unite union has announced that the first two days of strike action by its members at Heathrow’s terminals three and five have been cancelled, due to an improved pay offer from Heathrow Airports Ltd.

They had been planning 31 days of strikes throughout the summer period starting on Saturday 24 June, but the walkouts on 24 and 25 June will no longer go ahead while a ballot is taking place about the initial pay increase offer.

Unite’s Regional Co-ordinating Officer Wayne King said: “Following extensive negotiations last week a new offer was put forward by HAL. Members will now be balloted on the latest offer and they will decide whether or not it meets their expectations.”

The remaining 29 days of strike action are still scheduled to proceed. The dates are:

• 28–30 June (three days)
• 14–16 July (three days)
• 21–24 July (four days)
• 28–31 July (four days)
• 4–7 August (four days)
• 11–14 August (four days)
• 18–20 August (three days)
• 24–27 August (four days).

These dates coincide with Eid, the beginning of the school holidays and the August bank holiday.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We are pleased to have agreed a pay deal which unions are recommending their members to accept.

“This a great deal for colleagues, giving them two years of guaranteed above inflation pay rises, alongside further benefits and assurances that they told us they wanted.

“We encourage them to accept the deal so that everyone can have certainty and the backdated pay increase that so many have been waiting for.”