First London Heathrow Security Strike Postponed

The union representing security officers at London’s Heathrow Airport has paused their plans to strike after they received an improved pay offer from the airport.

Unite, the union that represents over 2,000 security workers at London Heathrow, called after the initial strikes, which were due to start later this month, because of the improved offer. Unite’s members will now vote on whether or not the latest offer “meets their expectations.”

“Following extensive negotiations last week a new offer was put forward by HAL. Members will now be balloted on the latest offer and they will decide whether or not it meets their expectations,” Unite regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King said in a statement.

If the offer is rejected by Unite’s members, the remaining 29 days of strike action will go ahead as planned. Originally, the union had planned 31 days of strike starting on Saturday, June 24, and ending on Aug. 27.

Unite is pushing for higher pay for Heathrow security officers, which it says are paid less than workers at other major U.K. airports in London and the Southeast.

“Delays, disruption, and cancellations will be inevitable as a result of the strike action. But this dispute is completely of HAL’s own making,” King said last month.

“The company has been given numerous opportunities to make an offer that meets our members’ expectations and so avoid another period of damaging strike action. Sadly, HAL has stubbornly refused to take this opportunity