Heathrow strikes to go ahead for 10 days over Easter break

Heathrow airport has said that some passengers may face longer queues to get through security during the Easter holiday period after it was unable to strike a deal with security worker unions over pay. More than 1,400 security officers in the Unite union, who work for Heathrow Airport, are going ahead with a ten-day strike beginning on Friday. Eleventh-hour talks on Thursday broke down without a resolution. It threatens disruption at the UK's largest airport at the start of the Easter school holidays. The strike involves security guards at Terminal 5, which is only used by British Airways, and those who check cargo. Unite has accused the airport of a real-terms wage cut. Heathrow said it had offered a 10% pay increase back-dated to 1 January, plus a lump sum payment (of over £1000). The airport says contingency plans will keep the airport operating. But these next few days are expected to be very busy as people get away on Easter holidays. And with staffing stretched, getting through security could take longer.<br/>