Around 500 Heathrow Wilson James workers providing assistance to passengers with restricted mobility (PRM) are taking further strike action beginning tomorrow (Thursday, 24 April).

The Wilson James workers are angry at being paid considerably less than their colleagues at Gatwick despite performing the same role.

Wilson James workers at Heathrow walk an average of 13 miles a day while providing transport across the airport, emotional reassurance, and kindness to passengers who are often stressed and overwhelmed.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Heathrow and Wilson James are both highly profitable and can more than afford to ensure these workers are offered reasonable pay deals.

"Unite is backing Heathrow's passenger assistance workers 100 per cent as they strike for fair pay."

The Wilson James PRM staff will be on strike on the following dates: 24, 25, 29, and 30 April 2025.

Additionally, their managers will be joining the strike action starting on 1 May 2025, after they also voted in favour of industrial action.

Wilson James' reported gross profits of £35.4 million for the year ending July 2024, with the company's gross turnover increasing by 17.7 per cent from the previous year.

Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL), meanwhile, reported a profit before tax of £696 million in the nine months to 30 September 2024.

Unite regional officer Martin West said: "It is morally indefensible that workers doing the same job for the same employer at two different London airports are being paid vastly different rates.

"All our members are asking for is parity with their colleagues, but this has fallen on deaf ears meaning they are being forced to head to the picket line.

"Strike action will have a significant impact on passengers with additional needs travelling through Heathrow. The disruption is a result of Wilson James failing to negotiate in good faith. It needs to come back to the negotiating table with an improved pay offer."