Security staff at London Heathrow Airport, organized through the Unite trade union, will go on strike for 31 selected days between 24 June and 27 August. Strike it comes amid failed negotiations over pay, United claiming that the wages of security staff at Heathrow are significantly lower than those at other London airports.
The planned strike dates are: June 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30; July 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 and 31; and August 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 and 27.
Around 2.000 people are expected to go on strike, which will lead to delays, cancellations and operational disruptions. Terminals 3 and 5, as well as vehicle check-in, will be affected. The dates of the strike were not chosen by chance, being in correlation with the busiest periods of the summer season. The Unite union will not give in until wages reach the desired level.
In these circumstances, unfortunately, passengers will not be able to be compensated under EU law for canceled or delayed flights, but airlines should support them and reroute them on valid flights. The strike is by ground staff, not the airlines. If you're planning to travel to/from London this summer, pay close attention to strike periods and check flight status with airlines.