Heathrow faces shortage of staff this summer

Last week, Heathrow security officials went on strike for nine days over pay and working conditions. Credit: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Heathrow risks a staff shortage this summer as the UK's largest airport struggles to fill vacancies amid an exodus of disgruntled employees.

Survey of 750 employees airport security survey conducted by Unite showed that one in three of them plan to leave their jobs in the next six months.

A wave of departures could lead to a repeat of last summer's unrest, when a severe shortage of staff forced travelers at some airports for hours queues.

Filling airport security positions takes time because staff must go through a government screening process, which typically takes 12 weeks.

Aviation executives complained that this waiting time doubled last summer, prompting Grant Shapps, then Secretary of Transportation, to agree to loosen screening to speed up the process.

But this week, the head of the world's largest ground handling company said that problems have arisen again.

Upcoming strikes

Chris Reiner, director of human resources at Swissport, said earlier this week: «We could get a lot more support from governments, especially in the UK, to speed up the whole [hiring] process.

«Where would we look for additional support from the government, so you speed up the entire security screening process.”

Security officers go on strike at Heathrow's Terminal 5, reserved for British Airways flights, from 31 March to April. 9 in a row over pay.

Unite said its poll showed members dissatisfied with a 10 percent wage increase «below inflation.»

General Secretary Sharon Graham said: «The treatment of security guards at Heathrow is causing a mass exodus. This poll shows that many are fed up with grueling shift work for low wages and are planning to leave.”

Heathrow says most Unite members are in favor of a 10% raise, and union leaders are not allowing a vote on it base.

Meanwhile, bosses say the Unite strikes have had a limited impact on Easter holidays.

An airport spokesperson said: “Our contingency plans have kept the airport operating as normal. unobstructed mode. We will keep delivering for our passengers and will not let Unite ruin a hard earned vacation.

“Heathrow is a good employer. We know that most colleagues do not support these strikes and want to accept a 10% pay increase — Unite simply refuses to let them vote for it"