Heathrow Airport faces 'major disruption' as worker go on strike

By Anadolu Agency Staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - As many as 350 workers at London’s Heathrow Airport began a three-day strike early Friday over a pay dispute, according to the Unite Union.

London’s busiest air travel hub will face "major disruption" as ground handlers employed by aviation firm Menzies begin industrial action, the union said in a press release.

"The dispute will lead to disruption, delays and cancellation for flights leaving Heathrow Terminals 2, 3 and 4. The strike action will particularly affect Air Canada, American Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss Air, Air Portugal, Austrian airlines, Qantas, Egypt Air, Aer Lingus and Finnair," it added.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, accused Menzies of not paying workers a "decent pay increase" despite being a "wealthy company."

"It is greed not need which is preventing a fair pay offer being made," Graham added.

The UK has seen dozens of strikes from workers in postal, railway and other services amid a cost of living crisis in recent months.