Unite has warned passengers using Heathrow Airport Terminal Five they face ‘severe delays and disruption’ this Easter after members voted for 10 days of industrial action.

More than 1,400 security guards employed by Heathrow Airports Ltd (HAL), will walk out on Friday 31 March, with the final day of strike action on Easter Sunday, 9 April.

The strike will affect security guards at T5, which is used by British Airways, as well as Campus security guards who are responsible for checking cargo entering Heathrow.

Heathrow urged Unite not to call the strike but said it has plans in place to keep disruption to a minimum.

“Passengers can be reassured that we have contingency plans which will keep the airport open and operational despite unnecessary threats of strike action by Unite,” Heathrow said.

“We have proposed an inflation beating 10% increase in pay which the public will recognise is fair and a majority of our colleagues have told Unite is not worth striking over. We urge Unite to come back to the table to discuss implementing it.

“Threatening to ruin people’s hard-earned holidays with strike action will not improve the deal.

“We want to do the right thing by our people and our passengers, each day only delays this pay rise reaching Unite members’ pockets.”