Claim that workers at Gatwick Airport doing the exact same job and for the same contractor earn between 6% and 20% more
Hundreds of Goans have been protesting outside the Heathrow Airport to demand better pay.
LONDON
Heathrow Airport is once again in the spotlight, but not for its long queues or flight delays. This time, it’s because of the voices of over 800 workers, which include at least 400 Goans, standing together for dignity and fair pay.
The workers who are employed by a contractor and outsourced by Heathrow Airport Limited to assist passengers with reduced mobility, are on strike outside the Heathrow Airport to demand better wages, said Jeff Fernandes, Regional Organiser for Unite the Union, which represents the protesting workers.
“The vast majority of these workers are migrant Goans—part of the tens of thousands who live and work in West London. We don’t have an exact number, but it is estimated there are at least 400 Goans in the Union. It is the largest demographic of workers,” said Jeff, who traces his roots to Majorda and Nuvem.
“Many have arrived in recent years holding Portuguese passports, seeking better opportunities. Historically, Goans have been seen by employers as amiable and hard-working, often reluctant to "rock the boat." But these workers have said enough is enough.”
“These workers are now standing up, have organised and unionised under Unite the Union, and are refusing to accept exploitation as the cost of a job.”
Jeff said the workers are already on strike and have completed 12 days of strike action, and is set to continue in June.
“The strike, we call it a picket line, is outside the airport as we are not allowed to picket/protest within the airport boundaries due to local by-laws. More members are joining the Union each day,” said Jeff.
“What makes this moment so powerful is the scale and solidarity shown by the workers. From a small group, their ranks have grown to over 800 strong. This movement represents a shift—not just in industrial terms, but in the identity and voice of the Goan community in the UK. They are no longer silent; they are no longer invisible.”
THE DISPUTE
At the heart of this dispute is pay inequality.
“Workers at Gatwick Airport—doing the exact same job—earn between 6% and 20% more than their counterparts at Heathrow. The anger and frustration are palpable. Why should they be paid less for equal work, simply because they are employed under a different contract or at a different location,” asked Jeff.
Jeff Fernandes, Regional Organiser for Unite the Union, which represents the protesting workers.
“After a Union survey of employees, members submitted a pay claim for 12%, and other ancillary items. This was for them to be on par with colleagues at Gatwick airport, who also work for the same contractor and do the same job. Gatwick workers earn between 6-20% more than Heathrow. Moreover, Heathrow is within the M25 and rents in the surrounding areas have increased by up to 14% year on year.”
Jeff claimed that the ongoing strike is more than just about numbers on a payslip.
“It’s about respect. It’s about recognising the crucial work these assistants do every single day—supporting some of the most vulnerable travellers, often under pressure, and with immense care and dedication. It’s also about standing up to a system that is built to maximise profit at the expense of people.”
Jeff claimed that outsourcing is a business model designed to drive down labour costs while maintaining service levels.
“The cost-saving for companies like Heathrow comes directly out of workers’ pockets. The contractor benefits from this model, but it’s the workers who pay the price—struggling to cover rent, bills, and everyday expenses in one of the most expensive cities in the world.”
Jeff informed that union representatives have met the company on a number of occasions.
“The meetings have not been ‘meaningful’ from the company side. They have produced minor variations of a deal that members rejected in April. The Union is open to negotiations as long as they are meaningful. It seems the company are trying to break the will of the workers by dragging it out,” said Jeff.
“The message to the contractor and Heathrow Airport Limited is clear: we are united, we are not backing down, and we demand fair pay. This strike is a testament to the strength of collective action, and a call for justice that cannot be ignored. We ask all Goans to stand proudly alongside these brave workers. Their fight is our fight—and it’s far from over,” Jeff added.
