During the upcoming summer season, security officers working at Heathrow airport will engage in a series of strikes that may have an impact on passengers travelling through the UK’s most heavily trafficked airport.
About 2,000 police officers who belong to the Unite union are planning to go on strike for a period of 31 days starting from June 24th until August 27th.
The areas where non-passengers are screened, specifically Terminals 3 and 5, will experience an impact due to the action being taken. This could potentially cause lines to form
The airport’s pay dispute with Unite has reached a significant level, according to the union’s description of the situation.
According to a statement, employees have declined an offer of a 10.1% pay increase that is lower than the current rate of inflation, which is now at 11.4% based on the Retail Price Index (RPI).
Although previous strikes had not caused much inconvenience to passengers because of the contingency plans put in place by Heathrow, the upcoming series of strikes will involve workers from terminal 3, which is a new development.
Heathrow Airport is among the most heavily trafficked airports globally, and individuals from various parts of the United Kingdom may experience its impact.
According to the BBC’s transport correspondent Katy Austin, the strikes may result in longer wait times for security checks, but it is presently unclear whether any airlines will opt to cancel their flights.
During the upcoming Eid festival from June 28th to June 30th, the start of school holidays from July 21st to July 24th, and the August bank holiday from August 24th to August 27th, there will be walkouts that will occur, coinciding with these busy travel periods.
According to a representative from Heathrow, the organization is committed to taking all possible measures to reduce the impact of the strikes and prevent any disturbances.
The Unite union attempted to cause chaos at the airport by holding strikes on days when it was busiest, however, they were unsuccessful. Despite this, we are still developing strategies to ensure that travel is not disrupted in the event of any future action.
Most of the coworkers do not endorse the strikes organized by Unite. However, there is a pay raise available for colleagues that exceeds the inflation rate for two years, but Unite needs to permit them to participate in the decision-making process.
It was stated that the discussions aimed at resolving the conflict with Unite would be ongoing.
The days that the strike will occur
Heathrow airport is facing strikes while it is still trying to bounce back from the effects of the pandemic. The company that runs the airport has reported a loss of £139m in the first quarter of this year.
Sharon Graham, a representative of Unite, stated that the airport has misplaced its priorities. She added that the company is very affluent and is expecting huge profits and executive pay increases this summer.
Employees of the PCS union who work for Border Force at Heathrow Airport went on multiple strikes this year. These strikes led the government to deploy military personnel to assist with entry points.
Several industries in the UK have seen strikes from large numbers of workers since the summer of the previous year.
The majority of people are asking for better terms and conditions, and for their wages to keep up with the increasing cost of living, which is currently increasing at the highest rate in almost four decades.
Last summer, there was a lot of disorder at airports due to a combination of strikes, a lack of personnel, and a sudden increase in demand for traveling after the pandemic.
Wayne King, who is the regional co-ordinating officer of Unite, mentioned on Wednesday that customers should anticipate similar experiences.
Due to the strike action, there will be unavoidable delays, disturbances, and cancellations. However, Heathrow Airport is entirely responsible for this conflict.
Do the strikes have an impact on you? Feel free to share your personal experiences with us through an email at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
If you are open to talking to a BBC journalist, kindly provide a way to contact you such as your phone number. Additionally, there are other means to reach out which are listed below:
In case you are unable to view the form on this page, you can visit the BBC website’s mobile version to send in your questions or comments. Alternatively, you may also email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. It is important to include your name, age, and location along with your submission.
Topics that are connected to this subject are being discussed. Additionally, there is further coverage on the story regarding upcoming strikes in
What are the demands of rail workers, nurses, and other professionals who are planning to go on
The latest news making headlines includes Ukraine’s report of making progress near Bakhmut while the Kherson region braces for the anticipated peak of
A rescue operation at the Kakhovka dam breach was captured in a 61-second video. The footage shows the rescue team responding to the emergency and successfully saving people in danger
Prince Harry discovered a tracking device on Chelsy’s car.
Characteristics
What led to the 90-year-old’s conviction in India after 42 years?
What is the reason behind Japan’s redefinition of
Chris Christie is attempting to derail Trump’s campaign, despite the odds being against
The color of my skin, which is black, gives me the impression that I am not accepted in Tunisia.
The available information regarding the incident at the dam in
Prince Harry’s statement contained significant excerpts, including derogatory terms such as ‚thicko‘, ‚cheat‘, and ‚underage drinker‘.
The account detailing the FBI’s successful apprehension of a well-known spy.
Could the use of Storm Shadow missiles by the UK have an impact on the ongoing conflict in
What is the reason behind Putin showcasing religious art?
On other parts of the BBC, there is a growing trend known as the "no-wash" movement.
The metropolis that never rests is gradually submerging.
The age group that spends the most time working or
The section that is read the most on the BBC website is titled "Most Read." The BBC is not accountable for any content on external websites and has a specific approach for linking to them. The copyright year for the BBC is 2023