The Unite union will ballot its members at Heathrow on fresh strike action after workers rejected the airport’s revised pay offer.
More than 4,000 Unite members at Heathrow, including security personnel, firefighters and passenger service operators, will be balloted on whether there is still an appetite for walkouts.
Unite’s proposed strikes over 26-27 July, 5-6 August and 23-24 August were all ultimately shelved to allow members to vote on two revised pay offers, both of which were rejected.
The union says its dispute over pay stems from disparities between workers doing the same, or similar, jobs at the airport, and levels of executive pay.
“Heathrow airport bosses need to heed airport workers’ anger over pay and their rejection of the latest pay offer,” said Unite regional officer Russ Ball.
“In the coming days, we will be making arrangements to refresh our strike mandate with a fresh industrial action ballot of workers across all of Heathrow’s terminals.
“As a result, we will not be announcing any strike dates and would urge Heathrow bosses to seize this window of opportunity to get back around the negotiating table.
“Heathrow bosses need to properly recognise the hard work of low-paid workers who are essential to the smooth and safe running of the airport with a new pay offer which meets their aspirations.”
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Unite notified us that their consultative ballot on our improved pay offer was rejected by members. While this is disappointing, we will be talking to Unite in the coming days.”