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Heathrow security strikes over
I reported before that Heathrow security staff, who were members of Unite union, were voting on whether to accept a new pay rise and had called off the first weekend of strikes.
Unite has announced today that its members have voted to accept the new pay offer. Over 2,000 security officers at Heathrow Terminal 3, 5 and Campus Security (who are responsible for checking all airside workers and vehicles) were due to take 31 days of strike action throughout the summer. Eighteen days of strikes have already taken place.
Under the terms of the new deal workers will receive an increase of between 15.5 and 17.5 per cent. The workers will receive:
- A 10 per cent increase to all basic salary, shift pay and allowances from January
- A further 1.5 per cent pay increase from October 2023
- Spot rates, salary ranges and formal pay progression will increase when the pay increase is implemented
- An increase in line with inflation for 2024 (a minimum of four per cent)
- The end of direct deployment (when workers can be switched between terminals without warning)
- The acceptance of the removal of agency workers from security roles, “as soon as we can”
- Improvement in maternity pay
- Increase in paternity pay.
Hopefully, the better pay and terms and conditions mean that Heathrow can recruit the correct numbers of staff, so that all positions, such as the second lane at the First Wing and Fast Track transfer security at T5 are properly staffed during agreed times.
BA will change existing bookings for new MCT
I wrote earlier in the week about how BA will be changing the minimum connection time at Heathrow’s T5 for many flights from January 2024. The minimum time will increase from 60 minutes to 75 minutes for many flights. You can read the full details in this article.
At the time of the announcement, it was not clear if they would try to change those that have booked below the new minimum time for flights from January 2024 onwards. According to Head for Points, the airline is planning to rebook any connection below the new minimum time and have already started to email those affected. It may be worth checking your bookings if you think it may apply and see what you are likely to be offered instead.
Etihad flash sale
This sale is for buying miles where there is a 50% bonus on offer and is only on until 24 June. With the high prices of flights, it could well be worth a look to see if this works out cheaper than a cash ticket. As I always say, make sure you have checked your exact dates for availability and are ready to book immediately afterwards if you plan to do this. You also have to be prepared that there is a slim chance someone could have snatched them up in the meantime. You could also look at using them to upgrade as well, which can sometimes work out cheaper.
To buy the maximum of 100,000 miles which means a total of 150,000 it would cost £1624. You can also transfer American Express Membership Points into Etihad Guest miles. You can use the miles on a number of partners, including Air New Zealand, Oman and Air Canada.
It costs from 140,000 miles return in business class from London to Abu Dhabi return for a guest seat (there are also open seats which costs twice as much).
