Zarah ChoudharyNearly 450 Heathrow workers providing assistance to passengers with restricted mobility (PRM) are being balloted for strike action.
This comes as workers expressed upset at being paid an average of 9.5% less than Wilson James staff at Gatwick performing the same role.
Wilson James’ reported gross profits of £35.4m for the year ending July 2024, with the company’s gross turnover increasing by 17.7% from the previous year.
Heathrow Airport Limited, meanwhile, reported a profit before tax of £696m in the nine months to 30th September 2024.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “There is absolutely no justification for Wilson James paying its Heathrow workers significantly less than its Gatwick staff doing the same job.
“Both Wilson James and Heathrow are extremely wealthy. The money is there to close the pay gap – Unite will support our members 100 per cent to ensure that happens.”
The ballot for strike action closes on 20th March, 2025.
Strike action would impact PRM services across the entire airport.
Martin West, regional officer at Unite, said: “There is still time to avoid industrial action but Wilson James must come back with an acceptable pay offer.
“Heathrow is thriving and we urge the airport’s management to step in and ensure that its Wilson James workers are properly compensated for their hard work and dedication.”
A Wilson James spokesperson said: “We are disheartened that we are yet to reach an agreement for the review of pay to our colleagues at Heathrow Airport.
“The company has put forward an above inflation pay offer to our team, which would secure a 5.16% pay increase. This increase would take hourly pay to at least 21% above National Living Wage.
“We are aware that Unite did not ballot their members on our pay offer so members have not yet had the opportunity to accept or reject this.
“Wilson James remains committed to seeking a resolution through continued discussions with Unite and has contingency plans in place to ensure that the Assistance Service will always be available to support passengers at Heathrow.”
