The threat of strike chaos at Heathrow has re-emerged after members of the UK’s largest union rejected a revised pay offer.
Unite said it was making arrangements to refresh its mandate for strike action with a fresh industrial action ballot of more than 4,000 workers involved in the dispute. Timings of the ballot will be announced in the coming days.
The union called on Heathrow bosses to get back around the table after the latest pay offer rejection before strike dates are announced.
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Strikes on August 5-6 and August 23-24 were suspended to allow for members to vote on the revised pay offer.
A previous pay offer, which saw a two-day strike on July 26-27 suspended, was also rejected by workers.
The dispute involves security guards, firefighters, engineers, passenger service operatives and passenger service drivers across all of the London hub’s terminals.
Unite regional officer Russ Ball said: “Heathrow bosses need to heed airport workers’ anger over pay and their rejection of the latest pay offer.
“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.”
Unite said the pay rise covers hundreds of workers employed by Babcock Airports Ltd, such as mechanical and electrical technicians and baggage operational staff.
More: Talks planned in effort to avert Heathrow summer strike
Three London airports face summer strike chaos
Heathrow firefighters to join mass walkout
