This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-london-13568629
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Heathrow Express 48-hour strike begins | Heathrow Express 48-hour strike begins |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Heathrow Express rail link workers have begun a 48-hour strike over pay. | Heathrow Express rail link workers have begun a 48-hour strike over pay. |
| Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union walked out at 0340 BST. A second strike is scheduled for 24 hours on 24 June. | Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union walked out at 0340 BST. A second strike is scheduled for 24 hours on 24 June. |
| The company - which operates from Paddington in west London - said it planned to run half-hourly trains between 0800 and 2000 BST both days. | The company - which operates from Paddington in west London - said it planned to run half-hourly trains between 0800 and 2000 BST both days. |
| Heathrow Connect services, which are driven by Heathrow Express staff, will also not run on Friday and Saturday. | |
| The industrial action could affect fans and officials on Saturday evening, after the Uefa Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona at Wembley. | The industrial action could affect fans and officials on Saturday evening, after the Uefa Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona at Wembley. |
| 'Profitable service' | 'Profitable service' |
| It is thought that Uefa employees and a number of Olympic officials are booked on to Heathrow Express trains. | It is thought that Uefa employees and a number of Olympic officials are booked on to Heathrow Express trains. |
| The RMT said Heathrow Express's offer of a 4.5% increase over one year was unacceptable and "loaded with strings". | The RMT said Heathrow Express's offer of a 4.5% increase over one year was unacceptable and "loaded with strings". |
| RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the union's dispute was with Heathrow Express and not with the International Olympic Committee or Uefa. | RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the union's dispute was with Heathrow Express and not with the International Olympic Committee or Uefa. |
| He added that "all we are seeking to do is secure a fair pay deal for our members". | He added that "all we are seeking to do is secure a fair pay deal for our members". |
| He said: "The fact that hundreds of dignitaries from the global sporting community are booked on Heathrow Express trains this weekend just shows that this is a prestigious, successful and profitable service built on the hard work of our members. | He said: "The fact that hundreds of dignitaries from the global sporting community are booked on Heathrow Express trains this weekend just shows that this is a prestigious, successful and profitable service built on the hard work of our members. |
| "All we want is for the company to recognise that in this pay round." | "All we want is for the company to recognise that in this pay round." |
| Heathrow Express said it would run a half-hourly service on Friday and Saturday from 0800 to 2000 BST between Paddington and Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 via Heathrow Central Terminals 1 and 3. | Heathrow Express said it would run a half-hourly service on Friday and Saturday from 0800 to 2000 BST between Paddington and Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 via Heathrow Central Terminals 1 and 3. |
| There will be no trains until Sunday on the Heathrow Connect service. | |
| Managing director Richard Robinson said: "Our focus is to provide our customers with a regular service to and from the airport during this 48-hour period." | Managing director Richard Robinson said: "Our focus is to provide our customers with a regular service to and from the airport during this 48-hour period." |