Heathrow Strikes - United Kingdom

February 16, 2022

Heathrow's impending strike action

According to Unite the Union's website "Over 3,000 workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union and employed by Heathrow Airports Ltd (HAL) as security guards, engineers and firefighters will begin balloting for strike action on Friday 17 February with the ballot closing on Friday 17 March. If the workers vote for industrial action strikes could coincide with the Easter getaway.

It is unclear at this time how cargo operations may be impacted if strike action takes place, please check back for more information.


Heathrow Cargo Operations

Cargo handling heathrowDid you know that Crane Worldwide Logistics is based in London Heathrow? With a full suite of freight forwarding services and cargo screening capability, reach out if you need assistance.

You can request a quote or be connected to a member of our team here

 


UPDATE 7th December, 2022

Border Force Strikes - Christmas period - United Kingdom

The Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union has announced industrial action that will impact border force services. Passengers can expect delays at terminals from 23rd December 2022 until the 31st December 2022. 

Airports that will be impacted are: Birmingham Airport, Cardiff Airport, Gatwick Airport, Glasgow Airport, Heathrow Airport, Manchester Airport and Port of Newhaven.

There is a possibility that cargo operations may be impacted at London Heathrow, please contact your local representative if you have any concerns at this time. 

Available information at this time click here

 


Update 9th February 2022

Strike Action at Heathrow - UPDATE

Strike action due to begin Friday 11 February at Heathrow Airport, involving 400 workers employed by Menzies Aviation, has been called after the workers received a substantial pay offer according to the Union Unite. 

An estimated four hundred workers were expected to take three days of strike action beginning on Friday 11 February due to a pay dispute.

The strike would have affected long-haul flights as aircraft baggage handlers and aircraft refuellers will be amongst those taking strike action


UPDATE: April 2021

Easter Strikes at Heathrow Airport

Latest: A planned strike by passport staff at Heathrow airport has been called off after a breakthrough in a dispute over new rosters.

An important number of the Public and Commercial Services union members were due to walk out on Thursday for a week in protest at new rosters introduced at the start of the year. The union said positive talks had been held, so the strike has been suspended to allow negotiations to continue.


Previously: Unite, the UK’s principal aviation union, has announced 41 strikes at Heathrow Airport this spring, in a bitter dispute following the company’s decision 'to fire and rehire its entire workforce, slashing their pay and reducing their conditions' according to Unite's website.

Targeted strike action will begin on Friday 2 April and there will be 41 strikes over a 23 day period, with the final strike scheduled for Sunday 25 April.

The targeted strike action at Heathrow will involve:

  • Engineering
  • Airside operations
  • Landside operations
  • Fire service
  • Campus security
  • Central terminal operations

Each sector will be taking seven days of strike action. During the strike period at least one of the sectors will be on strike on most days.


Strike Action at Heathrow cancelled

Unite, the UK’s principal aviation union, has secured a deal (subject to a members’ ballot) to end the long running dispute over British Airways' plans to fire and rehire the workforce in its cargo division.


First three days of planned action cancelled

The plans for the cargo division strike at Heathrow have been cancelled for the first three days, as negotiations continue between the Union Unite and British Airways Management. 


Continued disruption at Heathrow airport - strikes to commence in January 2021

Freight services with British Airways’ (BA) are about to incur additional disruption further to an announcement of strike action in January. The strike action is related to the airline's cargo division. 

Recent talks between the union Unite and British Airway's management have not come to a firm resolution and therefore nine days of strike action has been announced commencing on Friday 22nd January. Strikes also took place over the Christmas period as advised by Crane Worldwide earlier in this post, which led to severe disruption to operations. It has been reported that approximately 95 per cent of BA cargo operations faced disruption over the holiday period. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to the team in London for further information here


Further disruption expected at Heathrow from strike action

British Airways cargo workers have announced a nine day strike after failure to resolve a dispute over pay and conditions. The majority of workers are based at London Heathrow.

Strike Action will begin on Friday 25th December to 2nd January, imports into the UK will be impacted. 


London Heathrow Strike Planned during Festive Season

Crane Worldwide Logistics have been notified that there will be planned industrial action at London Heathrow Airport on the 14th, 17th and 18th December creating complications for cargo imports and exports in the lead up to the festive holidays. 

The strike action includes firefighters, engineers, operations, security and baggage staff and will impact both passenger and cargo operations in response to new contracts that have been issued by the airport. 

Cargo operations will be impacted due to the industrial action and at this busy time, we suggest you reach out to your account representative. 


Latest on Brexit

Turbulence at the borders of the United Kingdom are also expected when the Brexit transitional period comes to an end later this month. Our team in the United Kingdom are ready to support your business with customs services and bonded warehouse support. Our Brexit portal is regularly updated with all the latest news on Brexit and please don't hesitate to reach out to the team if you are experiencing dificulties, we are here to help! 

 

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