After rejecting a salary offer, Heathrow airport ground handlers will strike on Friday, it has been revealed.
400 Unite workers who are employed by Menzies will go on strike beginning at 4 a.m. for 72 hours.
After that, there will be another 72-hour strike that will start on December 29 and finish at 3:59 on January 1st.
“This is a perfect instance of a company that can fully afford to provide employees a reasonable wage raise but has chosen not to,” said Unite national secretary Sharon Graham.
Menzies has to stop making excuses and provide a salary offer that satisfies the demands of our members.
The post-Christmas halt will take place in tandem with the Border Force Staff strike that is scheduled.
The latest wage offered by Menzies, according to Unite, was for 4% backdated to May and an additional 6.5 % starting on January 1 2023. The employees rejected this offer.
The employees are asking for a 13% raise alone for 2022.
‘Heathrow customers need to prepare themselves for further delays at the airport solely due of Menzies stubbornness,’ said Unite regional officer Kevin Hall.
Menzies has only been willing to give our people a pitiful salary raise that in no way represents the cost of living, thus strike action is being sought as a last choice.
While Menzies claims it has backup measures in place for the strikes, Heathrow airport has emphasized that it does not employ the employees.
»Heathrow ground handlers plan 72 hours strike«