Heathrow staff helping travellers with restricted mobility to strike
Workers providing assistance to passengers with restricted mobility at Britain's Heathrow Airport are to strike for four days in a dispute over pay.
Unite said around 500 of its members employed by private firm Wilson James will walk out from April 5.
The union said the workers are being paid less than Wilson James staff at Gatwick Airport performing the same role.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Wilson James and Heathrow are both highly profitable, so there is absolutely no excuse for these workers to be paid far less than their colleagues at Gatwick. Unite is backing these workers 100% in their fight for fair pay.'
Unite warned that further strikes will be held if the dispute is not resolved.
A Wilson James spokesperson said: 'We are disappointed that Unite members have chosen to proceed with industrial action, particularly as our above-inflation pay offer – delivering a 5.16% increase and bringing hourly rates to at least 13.4% above the National Living Wage coming into commencement in April 2025 – has not been presented to members for a vote.
'We are also disheartened that notice of this industrial action was issued while our teams were working closely with Heathrow to support passengers during an unprecedented airport closure.
'Wilson James remains fully committed to constructive dialogue with our colleagues to find a resolution. In the meantime, we have robust contingency plans in place to ensure the continuity of the assistance service for passengers at Heathrow throughout the planned strike dates.'
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