Heathrow baggage system engineers in pay win

A strike by Heathrow baggage system engineers employed by Vanderlande Industries has been averted.

Unite said 160 of its members at Vanderlande had voted overwhelmingly for Easter holiday strike action, over Vanderlande’s offer of a one year pay freeze for 2021 and an insubstantial increment for 2022.

The strikes were postponed after Vanderlande tabled an improved pay offer.

The workers have now voted with 74 per cent in favour of the deal, which raises pay and includes improvements to holiday entitlements and other terms and conditions, to end the dispute.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Our Vanderlande members stood together and won this improvement to their pay and conditions.

“Our members’ jobs and pay are this union’s top priority. As this win shows, workers get results when they’re in Unite.”

The Vanderlande workers are highly skilled engineering technicians, duty engineers, process managers and control room operators. They are responsible for operating and maintaining the complete baggage system across every terminal at Heathrow.

Unite regional officer Lindsey Olliver added, “The pay deal achieved at Vanderlande is another example of why workers seeking to improve their pay and conditions should join Unite and encourage their colleagues to do the same.”

By Ryan Fletcher