Travel chaos to hit major UK airport as 1400 staff strike including on Coronation weekend

More than 1000 airport staff members are expected to strike across eight days — including on the King’s coronation. See how it will impact travellers.

Travel chaos is expected to hit one of the UK’s major airports as staff members announce a strike over the King’s Coronation bank holiday weekend.

Around 1400 security officers, who walked out for 10 days over Easter, will stage their latest industrial action at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 causing mayhem for hundreds of families.

It warned of “inevitable disruption and delays”, as the start of the walkout coincides with people expected to travel to the UK for King Charles’ coronation on May 6.

Around 1400 security officers will stage their latest industrial action at Heathrow’s Terminal 5. Picture: AFP

Airport staff part of union Unite are planning to take part in the action over a pay dispute on May 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10, and then again on May 25, 26 and 27.

The call to strike follows the rejection of a 10 per cent pay rise and claims some staff earn as little as £24k ($A44,400).

While the previous strikes involved guards working with British Airways at Terminal Five and those checking cargo entering the airport as well as firefighters and engineers, it’s not clear who will take part in the upcoming protest.

Staff are striking over a pay dispute with the airport management. Picture: Getty Images

However, Heathrow has vowed to not let unite “disrupt the flow” of holiday-makers during the historical weekend.

The airport’s management insist they have been engaged in talks with Unite for months and had improved a 10 per cent pay rise offer with a further £1,150 ($A2131) lump sum this year.

“We kept Heathrow running smoothly during the first 10 days of Unite’s failed industrial action, and passengers can have confidence that we will do so again this time,” a spokesperson for the airport said.

“We will not let Unite disrupt the flow of visitors to the UK during such an important period for the country.

The strike will coincide with the King’s coronation which will cause chaos for travellers. Picture: Getty Images

“Instead of chasing headlines, Unite should listen to its members. The majority of Heathrow colleagues do not want to strike and want to accept the offer on the table.

“Each day that Unite refuses to allow members to vote on the 10% pay increase and a £1,150 ($A2131) lump sum payment is a day that costs colleagues money they deserve now.”

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, previously said that workers can’t be expected to “accept real-term pay cuts” as shareholders and bosses “get richer and richer”.

“If the strike is to be averted, there needs to be more real money put on the table to make a decent pay rise,” she said.

During the Easter walkout, Heathrow deployed 1000 additional staff to ensure travellers weren‘t impacted.

Their contingency plan for the upcoming disruption is not yet known.

Originally published as Travel chaos to hit major UK airport as 1400 staff strike including on Coronation weekend