Cleaners working at British Airways (BA) offices at Heathrow Airport are set to take strike action over the Christmas period in a dispute over pay.

More than 80 Unite union members, employed by facilities services firm OCS, will take industrial action from 18 to 29 December, Unite has confirmed.

The workers clean BA offices and buildings across four terminals at Heathrow, including BA's Waterside head office, as well as cargo and engineering hangars.

The workers are currently paid the national minimum wage of £12.21 per hour and have been campaigning since early last year to be paid the London Living Wage of £13.85 per hour.

Unite says cleaners doing similar work at Heathrow under a Mitie contract already receive the higher rate.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "OCS and BA are highly profitable companies, which can easily afford to pay these hardworking members of staff the London living wage.

"It is an utter disgrace that while their employers are raking in huge profits, our members have been left struggling financially in one of the world's most expensive cities.

"This shameful situation must end and our members have Unite's unyielding support in their fight for fair pay."

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British Airways cleaners at Heathrow Airport went on strike earlier this year for similar concerns (credit: Nub News).

According to Unite, many of the affected workers are relying on food banks or charity support to cover essential costs such as rent and household bills.

Others are reported to be sharing bedrooms in houses of multiple occupancy to make ends meet.

The union also raised concerns about working conditions, saying some staff have worked for OCS for up to 20 years but remain outsourced and unable to afford retirement, despite being in their 70s.

Unite claims workers do not receive sick pay, leaving some to continue physically demanding work while unwell or shortly after major surgery.

Unite says it has attempted to negotiate with both OCS and British Airways for several months but claims neither company has engaged in meaningful talks.

A demonstration is due to take place outside Hatton Cross station on 18 and 19 December, between 12pm and 2pm on both days.

British Airways made a profit before tax of £896 million in the first half of 2025, according to Unite, while OCS has an annual UK and Ireland turnover of around £1.7 billion.

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Unite argues that paying the London Living Wage would represent a relatively small cost for both companies.

Unite regional officer Martin West said the workers were simply asking for "a wage they can live on" and urged OCS and BA to return to negotiations to avoid further disruption.

Around 40 OCS cleaners at Terminal 5 previously took strike action earlier this year over similar concerns.

British Airways has been approached for comment.

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