Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said members were being “forced to take strike action due to need not greed”.
“Workers at Heathrow Airport are on poverty wages while the chief executive and senior managers enjoy huge salaries,” she said.
“It is the airport’s workers who are fundamental to its success and they deserve a fair pay increase.”
Unite said members rejected Heathrow’s offer of a 10 per cent pay increase, saying it wasn’t enough due to “low pay and the cost of living crisis”.
Unite regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King said the strike would cause “huge disruption and delays” but blamed Heathrow Airport for the action.
Earlier, Mr King had warned flight delays and cancellations were inevitable if the strike went ahead.
A Heathrow spokesperson said the airport had “contingency plans” in place to keep the airport “open and operational”.
“Threatening to ruin people’s hard-earned holidays with strike action will not improve the deal,” a statement from the airport said.
Tens of thousands of train and bus drivers, civil servants, teachers, doctors and health care workers have also organised mass walkouts in recent months. All have been in some way related to the demand for better wages. Some union leaders have successfully negotiated pay deals with the Government.
In particular, unions representing nurses and ambulance crews have achieved positive outcomes while other industries continue to fight with authorities.
News.com.au with additional reporting.
