Travel strikes to hit UK this June: Here's how it could affect your plans

If you plan to travel in June, make sure you are up to date with possible delays due to industrial action.

Thousands of employees in London Heathrow Airport will leave their working places and walk out to protest against low pay and poor working conditions, causing disruption for holidaymakers and business travellers. The move is initiated by Unite Union.

The announced strikes are planned not only in June but also all summer.

Although Heathrow Airport management promises to do everything they can to avoid travel chaos, they have been badly affected by the walkouts before and saw thousands of passengers stranded in the terminals.

People have been earlier warned about potential travel chaos in Spain in the coming months.

Meanwhile, thousands of Brits on benefits might have to reconsider holidaying abroad this summer. Those not reporting their overseas plans and leaving the country for too long risk their payments being suspended.

A massive strike is planned at Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport workers have just announced a massive 31 days of walkouts in a new strike during June, July and August.

The move will hit some of the busiest holiday times, taking place almost every weekend over the summer.

The industrial action is expected to impact the biggest airlines - including Virgin, Emirates, Qatar, United, American and Delta Airlines - and ‘more may be to come’, Unite Union warned.

The strike will begin June 24 and continue June 25, 28, 29 and 30, with a lot more days of potential travel chaos in the next two months.

It will involve over 2,000 security officers - including those at Heathrow Terminal Three for the first time. Last week they voted to join security colleagues from Terminal Five and campus security on the picket line.

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Here is why they strike and how it will impact you

Unite workers have earlier rejected a pay rise of 10.1%. The union also cited ‘widespread bitterness’ amongst employees about the treatment they've faced by London Heathrow Airport management.

Unite regional coordinating officer Wayne King warned of delays, disruption and cancellations as a result of the strike action.

He blamed the dispute on Heathrow Airport management and said they were ‘given numerous opportunities’ to make a better offer and avoid further damage due to walkouts.

The union also referred to a ‘ballooning pay’ for Heathrow Airport's chief executive John Holland-Kaye who reportedly saw his salary soar from £800,000 in 2020 to £1.5 million in 2021, Mirror reports.

The eye-watering number beats even Sadiq Khan's earnings, find out how much the Mayor of London makes per year.

Read more:

⋙ Brits facing travel chaos if going to Spain these summer holidays

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Sources used:

- EuroNews Travel: 'Europe's travel strikes in June: When, where and what disruption you can expect'

- Mirror: 'Heathrow airport strikes: 31 days of new walkouts announced - see exact dates'