Heathrow Express workers to down tools
Heathrow Express workers are to stage three 24-hour strikes next month in a dispute between staff and management over union recognition.
The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen union (Aslef) said its members would walk out on October 3, 10 and 12.
Disruption is expected on the link from central London and Heathrow Airport, a service used by 14,000 people each day.
41 Aslef members voted for industrial action.
Aslef, represents around 100 workers, mainly drivers, on the Heathrow Express, out of a total workforce of 236, is demanding sole recognition rights.
But British Airports Authority (BAA) insists staff want representation from both the staff association and the union.
BAA has promised to run a “high quality” service on strike days, though a skeleton service is forecasted.
Heathrow Express managing director Brian Raven said: “For over a year we have worked with Aslef to introduce a consultation and negotiation framework that meets the wishes of all our employees.
“Following our own full consultation our employees voted evenly in favour of representation by both a trade association and Aslef.
“We will pursue further discussions with Aslef to resolve this situation and in the meanwhile we are working on a range of contingency plans that will maintain the safe and secure operation of Heathrow Express rail service for our customers.”
Aslef also intends to ban overtime from October 3.
Should the strikes go-ahead, it will be the first industrial action on the Paddington-Heathrow service in five years.
