BA Heathrow workers in strike vote

British Airways travellers face travel chaos as Heathrow workers vote on strike action, unions say.

Hundreds of Unite and GMB members working as Heathrow check in staff and ground staff have voted in favour of holding a formal industrial action ballot. The strike ballot will begin shortly with dates to be confirmed during the next few days.

Any industrial action will take place during the summer holiday period. The Heathrow workers are furious because a 10 per cent pay cut imposed on them during the pandemic has not been reinstated – despite bosses having their pre-Covid pay rates reinstated.

While other BA workers have been given a 10 per cent bonus, the check in staff have had nothing.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said, “Under the cover of Covid, British Airways used the abhorrent fire and rehire practice to slash check in and ground handlers pay by 10 per cent.

“In a further disgraceful move, BA has now restored the pay of managers but has kept the cut for these workers,” she added. “This is why our members have voted overwhelmingly to proceed to strike action. This is about paying the rate for the job.

“BA has had every opportunity to resolve this dispute through negotiations but it has failed to do so,” Graham continued. “Our members are left with no choice but to vote for strike action this summer. Unite will be giving its members its unequivocal support until this dispute is resolved.”

By Barckley Sumner