Heathrow Express strike action announced

A union has announced further industrial action on the Heathrow Express route as part of an ongoing row.

Members working on the service will strike for nine hours from 3am on Saturday March 24 and for 12 hours from 11am the following day, the Rail Maritime and Transport union announced. Heathrow Express runs services from the airport to Paddington Station.

The announcement is the latest development in an ongoing row over the sacking of one worker and disciplinary action against another.

It is expected that the weekend strikes will cause problems for people travelling between the airport and central London on either day. Two strikes have already been held by the union over the cases of the two workers.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow claimed the punishment taken against the pair was “unfair” and “disproportionate”.

He added: “Instead of using the Acas machinery to negotiate a settlement, Heathrow Express have instead opted to ratchet up their attacks in an act of blatant provocation.

“The unfair and disproportionate punishment taken by management in both these cases is a total miscarriage of justice and that is reflected in overwhelming ballot results for action.

“Management’s behaviour clearly demonstrates their willingness to victimise staff and union representatives at the slightest provocation and no doubt they see this as payback for the successful building of a strong and militant union organisation within the company.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Heathrow Express and the RMT are currently in discussions with the assistance of Acas. We are disappointed in the union’s decision to take industrial action on March 24 and 25, even while Acas talks are in progress to resolve the dispute constructively.

“The dispute centres around the suspension of one member of staff and the dismissal of another.

“The suspended employee has already returned to work and the dismissed employee has withdrawn his employment tribunal claim for unfair dismissal.

“We hope union members will recognise that industrial action is unnecessary and we will continue to talk with the union to try and resolve the dispute.”