Security guard at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) plans to strike next month in a move that could significantly affect visitors to the capital for the coronation of King Charles III.
Strikes are scheduled for May 4-6, May 9-10 and May 25-27. The strikes will largely involve security staff at Terminal 5 of Heathrow, which can increase passenger wait times.
Charles’ lavish coronation will take place on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to fly into the capital to line the streets and witness history being made.
The executives of London’s largest airport say they have had a new agreement for workers since January. The deal will offer a 10 per cent pay rise in addition to a one-time payment of £1,150 (about $1,432). However, leaders accused Unite the Union (a British and Irish trade union) of failing to put the deal to the vote of its members.
Unite claims the deal is disproportionate or on par with the growing cost of living. “Next month’s strikes will cause further disruption to passengers at the airport but this dispute is a direct result of Heathrow’s stubborn refusal to make an offer that meets the expectations of our members. me,” said Wayne King, Unite regional official.
“Our members have made it clear that they are looking for a substantial long-term pay rise,” says King. A small one-time payment will not alleviate the financial pressures our members face on a daily basis.”
His words were echoed by Sharon Graham of Unite, who has criticized the UK’s largest airport: “Once again, we have an executive at John Holland-Kaye who argues that increasing revenue My income is acceptable… decent salary increase. This dispute is certain to escalate with more workers voting and disruptions to continue throughout the summer.”
In response, the airport launched its own scathing attack, implying that the recent Easter strike of nearly 1,400 security personnel did not seriously affect the airport’s operations.
A Heathrow Airport spokesperson said: “We kept Heathrow Airport running smoothly for the first 10 days following Unite’s failed industrial action, and passengers can be confident that we will do the same. so again”.
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Airline BritishThe sole operator from Terminal 5, was forced to cancel 5% of its flights during the 10-day Easter strike.
However, airport executives remained adamant: “We will not let Unite disrupt visitor arrivals to the UK during such an important period for the country,” an airport spokesperson said. said more.
“Instead of chasing headlines, Unite should listen to its members. Most of Heathrow’s colleagues did not want to go on strike and wanted to accept the offer on the table. Every day Unite refuses to allow members to vote on a 10 per cent pay increase and £1,150 one-time payment is a day that causes colleagues to pay the money they deserve now.”
These are not the first strikes to affect Heathrow late. Following the easing of COVID-19-related restrictions globally, leaders are looking to quell financial disputes from fuel team ARRIVE hundreds of British Airways check-in staff. So far, they’ve mostly done it right, even helping to broker deals between third-party agents and airlines. However, threats of disruption continue to surface on seemingly weekly operations.
It’s not just Heathrow, either. UK Tourism is also facing a strike by more than 3,000 workers at the HM Passport Office.
Members of the Commercial and Public Service Coalition, from passport checkers to interviewers and administrators will go on strike May 2-6 in a dispute over pay and pensions, adding to the hardship for the government following a persistent backlog of pending applications.
If you’re flying into or out of Heathrow on strike days this May — especially if flying with Airline British in Terminal 5 — make sure to stay in touch with your airline via social media or by phone.
And if you fancy a coronation-inspired trip to London, read about hotels in the capital used by actual royalties – not all of which will have a king’s ransom.
