Heathrow strikes cancelled following further talks

Strikes by hundreds of workers at Heathrow Airport have been called off while a union consults with its members, it was announced today. 

Unite members working at the airport were due to take strike action over concerns around the outsourcing of hundreds of jobs to subcontractors. The union said workers feared they would see to a decline in contractual terms and conditions. 

Action scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday this week was cancelled to enable talks. The remaining days of strike action from May 9-13 have now also been called off.

Unite regional officer Wayne King said: "Talks have progressed well over the last two days and we will now be balloting our members on a new offer. As a goodwill gesture, we will be suspending the remaining strike action this week while our members are consulted." 

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Unite has suspended more strike dates after we repeated our assurances that we have no further planned changes to operational teams.

“The changes announced earlier this year will continue as planned and those colleagues are being supported through the process, with a guaranteed job at Heathrow.

“While Unite has recommended its members accept these assurances and end the dispute, passengers can be assured we will keep schedules operating as normal if strikes were to return.”