Heathrow Building Workers to Vote on Strike Action

Hundreds of construction workers building the new airport terminal at Heathrow are to be balloted for strikes after turning down a pay offer, it was announced today.

A mass meeting of workers employed on the Terminal 5 site rejected an offer of a 22p an hour increase, backdated to June.

The workers, employed by construction firm Laing O'Rourke, are seeking an extra £1 an hour on a bonus scheme they said had not been reviewed in three years.

An official strike ballot will now be held, with the result due next month.

Tom Kelly of the GMB, said he was confident workers will vote in favour of a campaign of strikes.

"The company will need to be ready to reopen talks and to be prepared to enter into meaningful negotiations if they want to avert a stoppage."

Alan Brkljac, of the Transport and General Workers Union, said: "This categoric rejection strongly increases the likelihood of a full strike ballot, in fact I would say it is a certainty."

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