Travellers are set to face Bank Holiday chaos as hundreds of workers at Heathrow Airport will go on strike for an entire week in a dispute over the outsourcing of jobs.
The trade union Unite said a staggering 800 of its members will launch a week of strikes from May 7-13.
The union claimed that workers in passenger services, who assist travellers to catch connecting flights, trolley operations and security guards, will have their jobs outsourced by June.
It comes after Unite previously revealed that planes would be delayed and grounded during the 72-hour walk-out planned to begin at Heathrow on May 4.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Heathrow Airport’s actions are deplorable. It is raking in massive profits for the bosses while trying to squeeze every last penny out of its workforce.
Hundreds of workers at Heathrow Airport are to strike in a dispute over outsourcing of jobs (stock image)
Trade union Unite claimed that workers in passenger services will have their jobs outsourced by June (stock image)
‘Unite is fully focused on defending its members’ jobs, pay and conditions, and our members at Heathrow will receive the union’s unrelenting support during this dispute.’
A Heathrow spokesman said: ‘We are reorganising our operations to deliver better results for our customers.
‘There are no job losses as a result of these changes, and we continue to discuss with Unite the implementation of these changes for the small number of colleagues impacted.
‘Unite’s threats of potential industrial action are unnecessary, and customers can be reassured that we will keep the airport operating smoothly, just like we have in the past.’
On Monday, Heathrow travellers were told they could face a Bank Holiday getaway nightmare after a three-day strike was declared by workers serving up to 70 airlines in a pay dispute.
Some 50 members of staff at AFS, a company which refuels planes, are protesting about what the union called ‘drastic’ cuts to terms and conditions.
Dozens of airlines face being affected, including major names such as Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Emirates, KLM, American Airlines, Air France and United Airlines.
The union said the strikes were ‘likely to lead to severe disruption to airline services for passengers’ over the first May Bank Holiday weekend.
Union chiefs previously revealed yesterday that there would be a 72-hour walk-out planned to begin at Britain’s busiest airport, pictured, on May 4 (stock image)
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Heathrow Airport’s actions are deplorable’ (stock image)
The proposed new measures, which Unite says involve reduced pension and sickness benefits, are set to apply to all employees recruited since January this year.
AFS, a joint venture between Air BP, Total, Q8 Air and Valero, was accused of ‘attacking the most vulnerable new staff in its workplace’.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘AFS is behaving appallingly by attacking the T&Cs of new members of staff – those it views as the easiest to intimidate.
‘But Unite will not stand for such bully-boy tactics and we will be backing our members in their fight for improved pensions and sick pay for all staff.’
Unite regional officer Kevin Hall added: ‘Our members recognise that if they allow this attack on their conditions to take place, before long this will become the norm.
‘Unite won’t allow that to happen and is standing firm with our members on the picket line.
‘AFS will have to answer directly to the airlines and passengers for the disruption caused by their unmerited actions.’