British Airways cleaners at Heathrow Airport are set to stage a four-day strike over low pay, as their union claims they are struggling on “poverty wages” despite the airline’s substantial profits. The announcement comes on the same day Heathrow unveiled plans for a multibillion-pound expansion, sparking further controversy over pay disparities within the aviation sector.
Low wages force cleaners to strike
Workers employed by outsourcing company OCS to clean British Airways (BA) offices at Heathrow will walk out from 25 to 28 February unless a new pay deal is agreed upon, according to Unite, the UK’s largest trade union.
Unite claims that while OCS pays its directly employed staff £13.85 an hour in London, BA’s outsourced cleaners receive only £11.44 – the legal minimum wage. Given the high cost of living in London, many of these employees are struggling to afford basic necessities, with some reportedly turning to food banks to survive.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham criticised both BA and OCS, saying:
“BA staff are on poverty wages and having to use foodbanks. Both OCS and BA are hugely profitable and can well afford to pay these workers fairly and decently. Unite will support them in their strike action until that happens.”
OCS, which reported operating profits of £28.3 million in 2023, has yet to respond publicly to the strike threat. Meanwhile, BA’s parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), made a staggering £1.7 billion in profits during last year’s peak summer season.
Growing frustration among workers
Unite has warned that industrial action could escalate if a fair pay offer is not made. The union’s regional officer, Martin West, said:
“There is still time to avoid industrial action, but that will require OCS to put forward a fair pay offer. This dispute will continue to escalate, and it does not reflect well on either OCS or BA – it is in both companies’ interests to resolve it.”
The strike follows a broader push for better pay across the aviation industry. Just this week, Unite secured a deal for BA workers at both Heathrow and Gatwick worth over £290 million in pay increases over the next three years, along with a potential profit-sharing scheme worth an additional £318 million.
Heathrow’s expansion plans add to the tension
The timing of the strike announcement is particularly striking, as it coincides with Heathrow’s unveiling of major expansion plans. The airport, which has been at the centre of a long-running debate over its growth, has committed to a significant investment in its infrastructure, including:
- Expanding the capacity of Terminals 2 and 5
- Reconfiguring the airfield layout
- Improving bus and coach connections
Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye, speaking on Wednesday, reaffirmed Heathrow’s commitment to expansion, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves having recently expressed support for a third runway.
However, union leaders argue that while millions are being poured into airport development, frontline staff – including cleaners – continue to be underpaid and undervalued.
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Public backlash and political response
The dispute has drawn wider attention to the ongoing challenges of low pay in the aviation sector. Many critics point to the contrast between Heathrow’s ambitious growth plans and the financial struggles faced by many of its essential workers.
Public reaction has been mixed, with some supporting the strike and calling for better wages for frontline staff, while others express concern over potential disruptions caused by industrial action.
Aviation analysts suggest that BA and OCS will face mounting pressure to resolve the dispute swiftly, as a prolonged strike could lead to reputational damage and further industrial unrest.
Next steps
With the strike scheduled to begin in less than two weeks, negotiations between OCS, BA, and Unite will be crucial in determining whether an agreement can be reached.
If no resolution is found, Heathrow could face significant disruption, raising further questions about worker rights and fair pay in one of the world’s busiest airports.
OCS has been contacted for comment, but at the time of writing, no response has been provided.
