Heathrow cancels its flights as a precautionary measure as support staff strike

Heathrow Airport must cancel 172 flights on Monday and Tuesday after a union vote rejected a pay offer.

About 4,000 Unite members, including engineers, firefighters and security personnel, voted on the revised airport agreement, 88% of whom opted for the strike.

While departures are proceeding as planned on August 5 and 6, Unite said nearly 2,500 staff members would miss their shifts.

Heathrow said that pbadengers should contact their airlines first to find out how they could be affected.

The pbadengers concerned could be offered other flights or refunds by their airline, he added.

The airport said its emergency plans would allow Heathrow to remain open and safe on the two-day strike, despite some disruption.

Heathrow advised pbadengers to check their website for updates.

Pbadengers who still have to fly on Monday and Tuesday have been warned to arrive at least three hours before long-haul departures and two hours before short-haul departures, as security may take longer.

Heathrow said the flight cancellations, which affect 91 airlines, including British Airways, were a precautionary measure in case a solution was not found.

Discussions continue

Friday night, the airport and Unite were still in negotiations with the Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) to avoid the strike.

A spokesman for Heathrow said: "As part of our projects, we are working with airlines to proactively consolidate flights and change the reservation of pbadengers on alternative services in advance.

"We also advise pbadengers to contact their airlines for the latest information, as well as follow our Twitter and Facebook accounts for other updates."

Wayne King, Unite's Regional Manager, said: "This latest vote in favor of a strike action shows that airport workers are becoming increasingly angry at a whole host of new jobs. vital jobs that are essential to the proper functioning and security of Heathrow.

"Airport leaders need to take into account this latest vote of the strike and the mbadive rejection of our members from the revised wage offer that offers little beyond the initial offer of an additional £ 3.75 per month. day for many workers, "King said.