Unite, the UK’s principal aviation union, has announced that it has suspended strike action at the airport to allow Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) to fully consider proposals to end the dispute.

Strikes suspended

Members of Unite have taken a total of six days of targeted strike action in the dispute over the company’s decision to fire and rehire its workforce, forcing them onto vastly inferior contracts, resulting in large pay cuts for many of the workers.

Following talks between Unite and HAL earlier this week, where the union put forward proposals which they feel would bring the dispute to an end and following an initial positive response from the company, the next two strikes on Saturday 13 February and Tuesday 16 February have been suspended.

Unite will not call any further action at the current time, but the two remaining strikes for Thursday 18 February and Sunday 21 February remain in place.

Act of good faith

Unite regional coordinating officer Wayne King said: “As an act of good faith and to increase the prospects of securing a negotiated settlement, Unite has suspended the next two days of strike action at Heathrow airport.

 “This is as a result of HAL providing an initial positive response to Unite’s proposals, which could bring this bitter dispute to an end.

 “However if progress is not made, or HAL’s commitment to negotiate is less than genuine, then there will be further walkouts at the end of next week and more strike action is likely to be announced.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Keir Starmer backs Unite’s Heathrow campaign to reverse fire and rehire

During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.