Heathrow half-term baggage workers’ strike called off

Pay deal secured with luggage carousel firm

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Oct 18, 2023 - 12:39
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Heathrow half-term baggage workers’ strike called off

The threat of an October half-term strike by 170 Heathrow baggage workers has been lifted after an 11th-hour pay deal was secured.

The Unite union had warned of walkouts between October 20-30 after action on October 6-9.

However, Unite called off the second wave of strike action after winning an increased pay award for Heathrow members at baggage carousel engineering firm Vanderlande.

The union said: “Unite members at Vanderlande, the company that maintains baggage carousels at Heathrow airport, have resolved their dispute after winning an increased pay offer.

“As a consequence strike action scheduled for later this month has been called off.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Our members stood firm and have now negotiated a better pay deal from their employer. 

“They work in highly skilled roles that are safety and security critical for passengers so this is well deserved.”

Unite regional officer Russ Ball added: “Our members voted overwhelmingly in favour of this improved offer which wouldn’t have come about if it wasn’t for their commitment to the cause and willingness to stand firm and campaign for a better deal.”