Heathrow security guards to strike on Thursday after pay talks break down

Security guards at London's Heathrow Airport will go on strike on Thursday after last-minute talks over a pay dispute broke down.

Unite union's 1,400 members working at Terminal 5 and in campus security will walk out on May 5-6, 9-10 and 25-27.

Staff will strike in the run-up to and the day of King Charles III's coronation.

Talks mediated by conciliation service Acas failed to resolve the row, said Unite.

“Unite has given Heathrow Airport every opportunity to make an improved pay offer, which could have led to the strike action being suspended,” the union’s regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King said.

“Sadly, they refused to grasp the opportunity to make an offer which could meet members’ expectations.”

The world’s best airports for 2023, according to Skytrax — in pictures

England v West Indies

England squad for the first Test Cook, Stoneman, Westley, Root (captain), Malan, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen, Roland-Jones, Broad, Anderson, Woakes, Crane

Fixtures

1st Test Aug 17-21, Edgbaston

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3rd Test Sep 7-11, Lord's

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Ways to control drones

Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.

"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.

New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.

It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.

The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.

The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.

Heathrow security guards to strike on Thursday after pay talks break down

About 1,400 members of the Unite union at Heathrow's Terminal 5 will walk out

The world’s best airports for 2023, according to Skytrax — in pictures

England v West Indies

While you're here

Jetour T1 specs

Ways to control drones

US election 2020