Heathrow Wilson James strike suspended as PRM staff consider new improved pay offer from employer

UPDATED: 16/06/2025

Strike action by around 800 London Heathrow Airport (LHR) workers employed by Wilson James to assist passengers with restricted mobility (PRM) has been suspended following an improved pay offer from the company.

Details on London Heathrow Airport strike 

The industrial action, which had been due to resume on Monday, 16 June and run through to Friday, 20 June, will no longer take place while Unite the Union conducts a formal ballot of its members on the latest proposal.

The development marks a temporary halt in the dispute, which has seen escalating tensions between Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL), Wilson James, and union members. Strikes began in April over a 10% pay disparity between Wilson James staff at Heathrow and their counterparts at London Gatwick Airport.

The situation intensified on 12 June when HAL controversially brought in more than 500 temporary and reportedly untrained staff in Terminals 3 and 5, prompting accusations of “union busting” and raising concerns over passenger safety and service quality.

Announcing the pause in action, Unite regional officer Martin West said:

“Following an improved offer from Wilson James, Unite has suspended strikes in order to ballot its members on the new offer.”

Unite’s decision offers a potential breakthrough in a dispute that has severely impacted PRM passengers, many of whom depend on timely and skilled assistance to navigate one of the world’s busiest airports. Heathrow serves between 4,000 and 6,000 PRM travellers daily, and the strike action has led to frequent delays, missed flights, and service failures.

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