Heathrow security strike postponed amid new pay deal offer

Heathrow airport security workers have postponed their initial two days of strike action, set for June 24 and 25, after being presented with an enhanced pay offer. Over 2,000 staff members agreed to delay the industrial action while Unite, the union representing them, holds a vote on the new pay deal in the coming days. If the proposal is rejected, the remaining 29 days of planned strikes will proceed as scheduled.

The security officers had previously refused a pay increase of 10.1%, claiming it was “below inflation.” Currently, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has dropped from over 10% to 8.7%, while the Retail Price Index (RPI) stood at 11.4% in the year to April. The strikes, if they go ahead, will affect Terminals 3 and 5 and cause disruptions to airport crew checks, potentially leading to long queues at security.

The planned walkouts coincide with busy travel periods, including the UK’s school summer holidays, the Eid festival on June 28, 29, and 30, and the August bank holiday from August 24 to 27. Unite has called off the first two days of strikes as a “gesture of goodwill” following “extensive talks” between employees and management.

The revised pay deal offers workers a 10% pay increase backdated to January 1, which will be reflected in their July payslips. The increase will then rise to 11.5% from October. Additionally, Heathrow has guaranteed an inflation-linked pay rise for 2024, with a minimum increase of 4%.

A spokesperson for Heathrow airport encouraged workers to accept the deal, stating that it would provide “certainty and the backdated pay increase that so many have been waiting for.” Unite members will be balloted between June 13 and 23 to determine whether the remaining strikes will proceed. In the event of further strikes, the airport does not anticipate any flight cancellations.