Approximately 500 Wilson James workers at Heathrow Airport, tasked with assisting passengers with restricted mobility (PRM), are engaged in strike action.
Workers stood alongside 50 OCS cleaners employed by British Airways (BA) in a picket line at the London airport yesterday.
The industrial action, rooted in pay disputes, threatens operational disruptions at a key aviation hub, with significant implications for disabled travelers who depend on these services.
Strike Action at Heathrow Airport
Wilson James staff at Heathrow, who log an average of 13 miles daily while supporting PRM passengers, are striking over wage disparities.
They earn considerably less than their counterparts performing identical roles at Gatwick Airport. Their duties extend beyond physical assistance, providing emotional support to passengers often facing travel-related stress.
The strike on Wednesday 9 April, follows a rejected pay offer after earlier action planned for April 5-8 was postponed for a ballot. Further walkouts are now anticipated.
Concurrently, OCS cleaners servicing BA operations are striking over pay, with their latest action spanning April 8 to 23, following earlier strikes in February and March.
Despite OCS’s accreditation by the Living Wage Foundation for its direct employees, these BA cleaners receive the UK minimum wage. In London’s high-cost environment, some rely on food banks or struggle with housing costs, fueling their discontent.
Financial data underscores the profitability of the involved parties. Wilson James reported a £35.4 million gross profit for the year ending July 2024, with a 17.7% turnover increase from the prior year.
Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) posted a £696 million profit before tax for the first nine months of 2024.
OCS recorded £28.3 million in operating profits in 2023, while BA’s parent company, IAG, earned £1.7 billion during the 2023 peak summer season. These figures highlight the capacity of these entities to address wage concerns.
Unite, the union representing both groups, fully supports the action. General Secretary Sharon Graham stated, “Heathrow, Wilson James, BA, and OCS are highly profitable and can more than afford reasonable pay deals.” She affirmed Unite’s 100% backing of the PRM assistants and BA cleaners in their push for fair compensation.
The Fallout for Disabled Travellers
For disabled passengers, the strike action has an impact. The absence of Wilson James staff risks leaving them without critical support for navigating terminals, security, and boarding processes.
The OCS strike may further compound delays or degrade onboard conditions, disproportionately affecting those with accessibility needs.
Heathrow, a vital international gateway, faces potential reputational and operational strain as a result.
The aviation sector now watches closely. The Wilson James strike, though limited to a single day initially, signals more action ahead. This means further inconvenience for those with disabilities.
Meanwhile the prolonged OCS walkout sustains pressure on BA operations. With both companies and HAL posting robust earnings, resolving these disputes could restore stability.
Until then, disabled travelers—reliant on these workers—face uncertainty, underscoring the human impact of labor unrest on passenger experience and airport efficiency.
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The post Heathrow Strike Disrupts Services for Disabled Passengers appeared first on AviationSource News.