Holidaymakers flying from Heathrow Airport this Easter could face significant disruption after a new round of strike action was confirmed.
Around 500 workers employed by Wilson James, responsible for assisting passengers with restricted mobility, plan to walk out in a dispute over pay, according to Unite the union.
The industrial action is set to take place from April 5 to 9, a key period for Easter travel. Further strikes could follow if an agreement is not reached, raising concerns about prolonged disruptions at one of the UK’s busiest airports.
Unite claims that Wilson James staff at Heathrow earn 9.5% less than colleagues in similar roles at Gatwick. The union argues that this pay gap is unfair, particularly given Wilson James’ strong financial performance.
The company reported gross profits of £35.4 million for the year ending July 2024, with a 17.7% increase in turnover.
Heathrow Airport Limited also recorded significant earnings, posting a profit before tax of £696 million in the nine months leading up to September 2024.
Unite has criticised both companies, stating that there is no justification for Heathrow workers receiving lower pay than those at Gatwick.
Wilson James staff play a crucial role in assisting passengers with reduced mobility, often walking up to 13 miles per shift.
Unite argues that their work, which includes providing emotional reassurance to travellers, deserves fair pay.
This latest strike announcement follows a major disruption at Heathrow caused by a power outage linked to a substation fire.
The incident grounded all flights, affecting around 200,000 passengers. Counterterrorism teams were called to investigate, but police have confirmed that there is no evidence of suspicious activity.
Heathrow is now under pressure from leading airlines, which are considering legal action to recover losses from the power failure.
National Grid has stated that the airport could have remained operational, as it was still receiving power from two other substations.
However, Heathrow is likely to argue that the outage was a force majeure event beyond its control, potentially limiting compensation claims.
A spokesperson for Wilson James expressed disappointment over the planned strike, stating that the company had offered workers a 5.16% pay increase, which would bring wages at least 13.4% above the National Living Wage set for April 2025.
The company also criticised the timing of the announcement, which came while staff were assisting passengers during the airport closure.
Despite the planned walkout, Wilson James has assured travellers that contingency plans are in place to minimise disruption to mobility assistance services.
With Easter being one of the busiest travel periods of the year, passengers flying from Heathrow may face delays and operational challenges if no resolution is reached before the strike dates.
