Passengers at Heathrow Airport, the UK’s busiest airport, are bracing for major disruption as 800 members of the Unite union prepare to walk out for a week. The industrial action is set to begin on Tuesday, May 7 and end on Monday, May 13, and will involve firefighters and staff in airside operations, passenger services, trolley operations, and campus security.
The dispute centers around the airport’s plans to outsource hundreds of roles in a bid to save £40 million. Unite, the union representing the affected workers, has condemned the move, accusing the airport of engaging in a “race to the bottom.” The union has called for the introduction of multilateral collective bargaining, which would ensure that groups of workers at Heathrow have a say in their pay and conditions regardless of their employer.
According to Unite, the airport plans to outsource work in passenger services, trolley operations, and campus security by June 1. The union also claims that firefighters and airside operations staff plan to walk out in support, fearing that they may be next in line for outsourcing.
Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, has criticized Heathrow Airport’s actions, calling them “deplorable.” She accused the airport of making massive profits while trying to squeeze every last penny out of its workforce.
However, Heathrow Airport has responded by saying that it has robust contingency plans in place and anticipates no impact on passenger journeys. A spokesperson for the airport said that there will be no job losses as a result of the changes and that they continue to discuss the implementation of these changes with Unite for the small number of colleagues impacted.
The airport has urged Unite to reconsider its threats of potential industrial action, assuring customers that they will keep the airport operating smoothly as they have done in the past.
In a separate dispute, Unite members at the airline refuelling firm AFS are planning to strike on May 4, 5, and 6.
