At an event organised by Unite the Union and Back Heathrow (the campaign for a third runway at Heathrow) earlier this week, Unite issued a rallying cry to make West London ‘the most unionised part of the UK.’

Lindsey Olliver, Unite Regional Officer, said:

“Unite already represents over 30,000 Heathrow workers. It was great to join forces today with Parmjit Dhanda and his team from Back Heathrow to hear some detail about what expansion could look like in terms of new jobs and apprenticeships. Unionised jobs deliver better pay and better working conditions. Heathrow expansion is a great opportunity to make west London one of the most unionised parts of the UK, and that’s what we will work towards.” 

Parmjit Dhanda, Executive Director of Back Heathrow - a former government minister and a trade union negotiator himself added:

“This event with Unite highlights the tremendous potential for organised labour and quality jobs around a growing Heathrow Airport. There is a great synergy between workers in this area, our 100,000 supporters at Back Heathrow and Unite’s own membership. I look forward to working with Lindsey and her Unite colleagues to help deliver these new jobs for local people. This is a great opportunity for unionised jobs.”

Unite the Union represents 1.5 million members across the country. Back Heathrow is a community campaign representing over 100,000 residents who back expansion at Heathrow airport.

This meeting took place on Wednesday 24^th September at the Unite offices in Harlington, where Lindsey Olliver, Joe McGowan (Unite Regional Officer) and Parmjit Dhanda briefed 30 local Unite trade union reps (representing over 30,000 Heathrow Unite members) to discuss the opportunities that a new runway could bring to the area. 

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Notes to the editor:

• First picture: ‘Expand Heathrow for Unionised Jobs and Apprenticeships’ – Unite Heathrow reps including Lindsey Olliver centre, kneeling, holding sign ‘Investing in young people’ and Parmjit Dhanda (Back Heathrow)
• Second picture: Parmjit Dhanda - Back Heathrow Executive Director