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Union calls off Heathrow strike today
The Unite union has called off a strike by Heathrow Airport staff planned for today (Monday), but tomorrow’s planned industrial action could still go ahead.
Unite called the strike off on Sunday evening, hours before it was due to start, at one minute past midnight.
Talks will continue today to try to avert a second day of strike action on Tuesday.
Around 4,000 Unite members voted on the airport’s revised pay deal on Friday, with 88% opting to strike.
In anticipation of the strike, the airport had already cancelled 177 flights, which amounts to one in seven departures, as a precaution. Heathrow said some flights could now be reinstated.
There had been uncertainty over the weekend among passengers who were waiting to hear whether their flights were going ahead.
A Heathrow spokesman said: "We will continue talks with Unite and we remain hopeful that we can find a resolution and stop this disruptive and unnecessary threat of strike action.
"Airlines may choose to reinstate impacted flights."
He added: "We regret that passengers have been inconvenienced by this and urge them to contact their airline for up-to-date information on the status of their service."
On Tuesday’s planned strike, Heathrow said it has been working closely with airlines to identify departing flights which will need to be cancelled.
"While the vast majority of flights will be unaffected, some airlines are making arrangements to operate flights from other UK airports, others will be delaying flights and unfortunately a number will be cancelled.
"Airlines have now started to contact passengers on affected flights and passengers should contact their airline for more information."
British Airways said it will be reinstating flights that were cancelled today (Monday).
It warned passengers that security lanes will be closed tomorrow and it would take longer to pass through security.
It said only one piece of hand baggage, which can fit in the seat in front, would be allowed. It also asked customers to keep checked bags to a minimum.
Virgin Atlantic had moved a number of Heathrow flights to Gatwick and said these would not revert back now that today’s strike has been called off.
Cathay Pacific has also switched some flights to Gatwick.
Unite warned that two more Heathrow strikes could follow on August 23 and 24. In a separate dispute, BA pilots have also threatened to strike this month.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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