Heathrow airport’s terminal five (T5) could be hit by strike action following a breakdown in talks over a new national pay deal for site electricians.
The move would be part of selective national strike action by electricians, which has come a step closer following a meeting of the industry’s shop stewards, reports Personnel Today‘s sister title Contract Journal.
The threat follows the rejection of an offer by Electrical Contractors Association employers of a new three-year pay deal from next January, worth an increase of 13%.
It would have given an increase of 4% in January 2008, followed by further increases of 4.5% and 5% over the next two years.
The sector’s national shop stewards have called for a one-year settlement and an increase of 8% in basic rates from next January.
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One shop steward told Contract Journal: “The latest meeting decided that T5 should be a prime target for any industrial action. The union is taking legal advice on whether action over next year’s pay can be taken within the law while the current agreement still exists.
“The consultation process is set to continue until 10 September. That is the deadline for a decision on action.”
