A survey of more than 750 security officers at Heathrow by the union found that one in three were planning to stop working at the London hub within the next six months, with half of the respondents telling Unite they were unsure about their futures at the airport.
If it were to take place, the exodus could spell significant trouble for the airport, with significant delays and disruption throughout the summer.
“The treatment of security guards at Heathrow is leading to their mass exodus,” said secretary general Sharon Graham. “This survey reveals that many have had enough of gruelling shift work for low pay and are planning to leave.”
The threat comes after 1,400 members of security staff at Heathrow Terminal 5 last week embarked on 10 days strike action, starting 31 March, as part of a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.
Last-ditch talks between Heathrow and the union failed to break the deadlock, meaning, the action will continue until Easter Sunday, mainly impacting British Airways – the main user of Terminal 5.
According to Graham, the airport can “well afford” to put forward a renewed pay offer, as Unite has rejected a 10% increase backdated to January as well as a lump sum of £1,150.
“How can Heathrow justify a pay rise from £800,000 to £1.5 million for its chief executive while they insist on keeping their own workers on poverty pay?,” she added.
Commenting on the survey, a Heathrow spokesperson insisted the airport was “a good employer.”
“We know a majority of colleagues do not support these strikes and want to accept the 10% pay increase on the table – Unite simply refuses to allow them to vote on it,” they added.
The airport has also stressed how its contingency plans – which include the deployment of an additional 1,000 guards – has “kept the airport operating normally.”
