Heathrow strikes may affect holiday passengers warns union
Unite has warned of delays at Heathrow for summer holiday passengers as cargo staff plan two three-day strikes.
275 Unite members working for Swissport Cargo Services will strike from 6.30am on Wednesday 27 June until 6.29am on Saturday 30 June and from 6.30am on Wednesday 4 July until 6.29am on Saturday 7 July.
The cargo staff union claims the company has ‘point blank’ refused to discuss the pay claim for 2010/2011.
Passenger flights could be disrupted as the strikes will delay cargo being put on the aircraft. The cargo has to be configured in a certain way before the aircraft can be cleared for take-off.
The union says Singapore and Korean airlines could be affected.
Unite regional officer Kevin Hall said: "Swissport has continually refused to negotiate on a pay rise for the year 2010/2011.
"Our members, faced with rising household bills, have been driven to take this action which could be severely disruptive to flights at Heathrow, as the summer holiday season kicks off.
"Flights could be delayed as cargo on passenger flights has to be properly configured before the plane can take-off – if cargo and vehicles are in the wrong place because of the strike this is going to have adverse knock-on affects.
"Imports and exports of perishable goods, such as fruit and flowers, will also be hit."
By Diane Evans
Diane
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