THERE has been a strike vote over ‘punishing’ working patterns at Heathrow.
International airlines flying from Heathrow Airport face major disruption to the supply of in-flight food, drink and duty-free after members of Unite voted for strike action.
Workers employed by Alpha LSG will take strike action from 00.01 Wednesday 22 May concluding at 23.59 on Sunday 26 May. 87 per cent of the workers that took part in the ballot voted for strike action.
HGV drivers employed by Alpha LSG at Heathrow are responsible for transporting food, drink and duty-free to planes. The company supplies 29 airlines including American Airlines, Air Canada, Etihad, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways.
On 1 March, Alpha LSG imposed new rosters on HGV drivers. The workers claim the punishing new rosters are destroying their health and family life.
- Many drivers are working an extra 25 days a year and losing 12 weekends a year.
- Drivers have to work 5-6 weeks before they get a weekend off to spend with their families.
- Drivers report that they struggle to complete their work within their shifts, regularly driving back late to their workplace beyond their agreed finish times.
- The company has refused to ensure that there is a minimum break of 11 hours between shifts.
- Some drivers report working 10 hour shifts on consecutive days.
- All drivers are subject to different start times each day.
Unite regional officer, Jayesh Mistry said: ‘Alpha LSG at Heathrow has imposed a punishing new shift pattern on its drivers.’