800 Wilson James workers assisting passengers with restricted mobility call on Heathrow bosses to intervene as strikes intensify

Hundreds of striking workers will march to Heathrow’s head offices in Hillingdon to demand the airport’s management intervene in their pay dispute with contractor Wilson James.

When: 11:30 hrs, Thursday 22 May 2025

Where: Compass Centre (Heathrow HQ), Compass Centre, Nelson Rd, Hounslow TW6 2GW

(Workers and Unite officials available for interview. Pictures and video available on request.)

The workers, who assist passengers with restricted mobility, are angry they are paid 10 per cent less than Wilson James colleagues at Gatwick. Between 4,000 and 6,000 passengers with restricted mobility pass through Heathrow every day.  

Around 500 workers began industrial action in April and the latest round of strike action takes place today (20 May), tomorrow (21 May) and Thursday (22 May). Strikes will intensify over the summer if the dispute is not resolved.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Wilson James can well afford to put forward an acceptable offer. Heathrow bosses need to the tell the company to do just that, otherwise these strikes will continue to intensify with Unite’s full support.”

Since the dispute began, more than 300 Wilson James workers have joined the strikes to fight for fair pay, taking the total number of strikers to around 800.

Wilson James’ refusal to table a reasonable offer has already caused significant disruption to thousands of passengers with restricted mobility, with instances of people missing flights and not being provided with wheelchairs and other assistance.

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, made nearly a billion pounds in pre-tax profits during 2024.

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065. 

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.