Heathrow faces major disruptions amid May Day holiday strikes
Travellers heading to the UK for the May Day bank holiday should brace for significant disruptions. Beginning Monday morning, Heathrow Airport, the largest in the British Isles and one of the biggest in Europe, is experiencing a strike. Border force staff are protesting, potentially paralyzing operations.
The strike at Heathrow Airport is set to last until 6:00 AM on Friday and involves around 300 border force officers across terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, which represents public sector workers, has announced that the protest centers on opposition to new work schedules, which they claim could cause approximately 250 officers to resign from their positions at passport control.
"It’s disappointing that despite talks last week, the Home Office is not prepared to grant any flexibility to their new roster.," stated PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote, as "The Guardian" reported.
Major strike at Heathrow during the May Day bank holiday
Heathcote further mentioned, "None of our dedicated and highly experienced members in the Border Force want to take strike action but the way they’ve been treated by their employer leaves them with no option." she clarified.
Heathrow officials have confirmed contingency plans to mitigate the strike's impact on passengers. Nonetheless, they advise passengers to seek the latest updates from their operators before setting off.
While no flights have been cancelled yet, the British media have highlighted the potential for longer waiting times at passport control. This delay could impact flights from Poland, specifically those arriving at terminals 2 (LOT) and 5 (British Airways).
Additionally, this isn't the sole strike planned at Heathrow in the near future. Starting Saturday, a 72-hour protest involving around 50 staff members responsible for aeroplane refuelling is scheduled.
Moreover, the Unite union has revealed that its members at Heathrow are set to strike from the 7th to the 13th of May, protesting against outsourcing hundreds of jobs.
