Up to 50 AFS refuellers working at Heathrow airport plan to down tools for 72 hours beginning on 4 May as part of industrial action over what the Unite union called “drastic cuts to the terms and conditions of new staff” recruited since January 2024.
The strikes could see planes delayed, disrupted and grounded, Unite warned.
AFS is a joint venture between a number of oil firms, including BP, Total and Valero. Workers at the company refuel aircraft operated by 35 different airlines including Virgin, Delta, Emirates and Air France.
“Staff are furious at the imposition of a two-tier workforce and recognise that it represents a potential ‘race to the bottom’ for staff across the company," said Unite.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said AFS is “behaving appallingly”, while Unite regional officer Kevin Hall added: “Our members recognise that if they allow this attack on their conditions to take place before long this will become the norm.
“Unite won’t allow that to happen and is standing firm with our members on the picket line.”
Proactive has asked AFS for a comment on the matter