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Heathrow strikes to go ahead for 10 days over Easter break Heathrow security guards begin 10-day strike during Easter break
(about 3 hours later)
Heathrow airport has said that some passengers may face longer queues to get through security during the Easter holiday period after it was unable to strike a deal with security worker unions over pay. Heathrow Airport has said that some passengers may face security delays over the Easter holidays due to strike action over pay.
More than 1,400 security officers in the Unite union, who work for Heathrow Airport, are going ahead with a ten-day strike beginning on Friday. Eleventh-hour talks on Thursday broke down without a resolution. It threatens disruption at the UK's largest airport at the start of the Easter school holidays. More than 1,400 security officers in the Unite union, who work for Heathrow Airport, have begun 10 days of industrial action.
The strike involves security guards at Terminal 5, which is only used by British Airways, and those who check cargo. Unite has accused the airport of a real-terms wage cut. Eleventh-hour talks on Thursday broke down without a resolution.
Heathrow said it had offered a 10% pay increase back-dated to 1 January, plus a lump sum payment (of over £1000). It threatens disruption at the UK's largest airport at the start of the Easter school holidays.
The airport says contingency plans will keep the airport operating. But these next few days are expected to be very busy as people get away on Easter holidays. And with staffing stretched, getting through security could take longer. The strike involves security guards at Terminal 5, which is only used by British Airways, and those who check cargo. Unite has accused the airport of a real-terms wage cut.
Ahead of the strike, Heathrow asked airlines to stop selling tickets and allow customers to change travel dates. British Airways pre-emptively cancelled 300 flights and Virgin Atlantic confirmed it had limited new ticket sales and introduced a flexible policy. Heathrow said it had offered a 10% pay increase back-dated to 1 January, plus a lump sum payment of more than £1,000.
The strike reduces the number of security staff available to the airport on what is expected to be a very busy weekend. The airport said contingency plans were keeping the airport operating as usual, but British Airways has cancelled about 70 flights for Friday.
The airport has said it has contingency plans to keep it operating "as normal" but it is likely it will take passengers longer to get through security. This includes flights already removed from the schedule due to the strikes, and cancellations for other reasons, such as bad weather and an air traffic control strike in France.
Heathrow said it was deploying 1,000 extra colleagues and Heathrow's management team to assist passengers. Picket lines were mounted outside the airport and Unite said the strike was being "well supported."
Heathrow is advising travellers to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport, arriving at Heathrow no earlier than two hours before short-haul flights and three hours before long-haul flights, and being ready for security. Are you a security officer striking at Heathrow, or a passenger concerned about your travel plans being disrupted? Share your experiences.
It says passengers will only be permitted to go through security with two items of hand luggage, to help the flow. Email: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
The aviation industry more broadly is under pressure from the government and the industry regulator to avoid a repeat of last year's Easter's queues, delays and cancellations, which were largely caused by staff shortages.
A leaked letter to businesses from the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport, seen by the BBC, says it would be unacceptable for consumers to face the same level of disruption this year.
Airlines and airports have told the BBC they are confident of having enough staff in place this time round, although external factors such as strikes in France affecting air traffic control could cause issues.
Are you a security officer striking at Heathrow, or a passenger concerned about your travel plans being disrupted? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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The next few days are expected to be busy as people get away on Easter holidays.
Ahead of the strike, Heathrow asked airlines to stop selling tickets and allow customers to change travel dates.
British Airways pre-emptively cancelled 300 flights and Virgin Atlantic confirmed it had limited new ticket sales and introduced a flexible policy.
The strike reduces the number of security staff available to the airport on what is normally a very busy weekend.
Heathrow said it was deploying 1,000 extra colleagues and its management team to assist passengers.
Travellers should check their flight before travelling to the airport, arriving at Heathrow no earlier than two hours before short-haul flights and three hours before long-haul flights, and be ready for security, the airport said.
Passengers will only be permitted to go through security with two items of hand luggage to help the flow.
The aviation industry more broadly is under pressure from the government and the industry regulator to avoid a repeat of last year's Easter's queues, delays and cancellations, which were largely caused by staff shortages.
A leaked letter to businesses from the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport, seen by the BBC, says it would be unacceptable for consumers to face the same level of disruption this year.
Airlines and airports have told the BBC they are confident of having enough staff in place this time round, although external factors such as strikes in France affecting air traffic control could cause issues.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
London Heathrow AirportLondon Heathrow Airport
Air travelAir travel
Strike actionStrike action