The union said the action, which will involve more than 2,000 members of security staff at Heathrow, would likely get under way in mid-June and run through to the August bank holiday weekend.
Unite had intended to serve Heathrow strike notice late last week, but will now do so this week, a spokesperson confirmed to TTG. The exact number of strike days and their exact dates is yet to be confirmed, although Unite last week indicated the action could run to more than 30 days.
It follows three days’ action by Unite members last month. Heathrow said that it was more than prepared for the strikes, adding it did not believe the majority of Unite members involved in the dispute backed the action.
Security personnel represented by Unite across Heathrow Terminal 3 and Terminal 5, as well as the airport’s security action, are expected to join the walkouts. It comes after Unite members rejected Heathrow’s latest pay deal.
The action at Terminal 5 could impact British Airways, while airlines using Terminal 3 include Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Qatar Airways, United, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
A Heathrow spokesperson said passengers using the airport this summer could "rest assured" that it would do everything possible to minimise disruption resulting from the action.
"Unite has already tried and failed to disrupt the airport with unnecessary strikes on some of our busiest days," said Heathrow. "We continue to build our plans to protect journeys during any future action."
The airport added there was a "two-year inflation-beating pay rise" on the table.
