Last Minute Talks Avert Heathrow Airport Strikes

Industrial action by workers at London’s Heathrow Airport has been stopped after an agreement was reached between airport authorities and Unite, the body representing staff at the airport. This action was due to take place on Monday and Tuesday, with some airlines canceling flights as a precaution.

Planned industrial action by staff at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) has been halted after a pay agreement was reached between airport authorities and employees, the BBC reports. Workers at the airport, represented by labor body Unite, had been due to strike on Monday and Tuesday over pay conditions. However, an agreement between the union and airport authorities has been reached.

Despite the announcement, the outlet reports that a number of carriers opted to cancel flights over concerns of strike action on Tuesday. However, the outlet further states that, on Sunday night, some services were reinstated when the strikes set for Monday were called off.

As The Evening Standard reports, a number of airlines – including Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and British Airways – were impacted by the strike.

A total of 16 flights had to be canceled on Monday and in a statement on its website, the airport said, “We regret that passengers have been inconvenienced by this change. Your airline is best place to update you on the status of your flight. We have a list of airline contact details and for up to date information on the strikes, please read our industrial action FAQs page.”

It added that, while strike action for August 6th has been averted, “Strike action on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th is still scheduled to go ahead.”

Unite confirmed that industrial action by about 4,000 workers is possible for later in August.

Offering their comments, a spokesperson for the airport said, “Unite will now take an improved offer to its members and we remain hopeful that we can find a resolution and stop this disruptive and unnecessary threat of strike action.”

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