Heathrow security staff begin 10-day strike

Strike action at London Heathrow Airport has started today and will last for 10 days, following the failure to resolve a dispute over pay between the Unite union and the airport.

Approximately 1,400 Unite members, who are security officers at Terminal Five and campus security guards, are walking out.

Data analytics firm Cirium said this could impact 6,253 departures, with the walkout coinciding with the Easter weekend and school holidays.

Picket lines have been mounted outside the airport with the union saying the action is ‘well supported’. Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Heathrow can afford to pay a decent pay rise to its workers. This is a wealthy company which is about to return to bumper profits.”

Unite Regional Co-ordinating Officer Wayne King added: “The strike action will undoubtedly result in severe delays and disruption to passengers across the airport but this dispute is a direct result of Heathrow Airport’s stubborn refusal to pay its workers fairly.”

The airport said it has contingency plans in place that are working well, but some British Airways flights, who operate out of Terminal Five, are expected to be cancelled. A spokesperson said: “We are deploying 1,000 additional colleagues and the entire management team who will be in the terminals providing assistance to passengers over the busy Easter getaway.”

Heathrow’s Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye told Sky News: “We have a lot of colleagues who have come to help us out today – both security officers and managers who are helping out in their purple shirts like me.” The airport is also bringing in third-party agency workers to assist.

“So, Heathrow is operating as normal. If you’re travelling over the Easter period, don’t worry, you’ll have a good journey,” he added.

For those who are travelling during this period of strike action, Jac Morris, Confused.com Travel Insurance Expert has some advice: “If you’re set to travel through Heathrow Airport over the next 10 days, be sure to allow plenty of time to make it through longer queues.

“And if you find your flight is delayed, you may be eligible to claim compensation from the airline itself. This will depend on how long your flight is delayed for, the country you're flying to, and the length of your flight.

“If your flight is cancelled, then you have a legal right to either claim a full refund or ask for a replacement flight,” he said.