Holiday boost as Heathrow strikes end after security officers accept pay deal

STRIKING security officers at Heathrow Airport have accepted an improved pay offer.

The Unite union says the long-running dispute between the workers and their employer has ended.

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It comes after the workers announced they would strike nearly every weekend this summer in a mass walkout over pay.

The Unite union said more than 2,000 of its members would undertake industrial action for 31 days from tomorrow.

Security officers based at Terminal 3 would have joined their colleagues from Terminal 5 and campus security who have previously gone on strike.

Aviation analytics company Cirium said 20,163 flights are scheduled to depart from Heathrow on the postponed strike days between June 24 and August 27, equating to more than 4.4 million seats.

During previous strikes, the airport’s contingency plans have included deploying office staff to assist passengers entering security checkpoints.

Other strikes are set to cause travel chaos for British holidaymakers this summer.

Thousands of flights are set to be impacted as air traffic controllers in France and Italy stage walkouts.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This was a hard won victory which demonstrates what can be achieved when workers stand together and take action together 

“The pay deal at Heathrow is a further demonstration of how Unite’s complete focus on jobs, pay and conditions is having direct benefits for its members.”

Unite regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King said: “The solidarity and dedication of Unite’s reps and members was fundamental in ensuring HAL returned to the negotiating table with an improved offer.