Security officers at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 are to take industrial action for 10 days from March 31 in a pay dispute.

It is thought that 1,400 members of the uniuon Unite will walk out just as the schools break up for the Easter holidays.

Workers at the terminal, which handles intenrnational flights to countries such as Isreal, the United States and much of Europe, which used by British Airways, and cargo checkers will strike.

But Heathrow bosses claim contingency plans are in place to keep the airport open.

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Security officers want starting salaries rise to £27,754 plus shift pay and allowances if the 10% increase is accepted. It follows a 4% increase and a £2,000 lump sum cost of living payment last year.

The company said Unite had proposed “an inflation-beating 10% increase in pay” but the union claims the offer does not make up for years of pay freezes and cuts.

Secretary general Sharon Graham says workers at Heathrow Airport are on “poverty wages” and unable to make ends meet.

Strike action was because of “need, not greed”, she claimed.

Heathrow says the wage proposal on offer is fair, and “threatening to ruin people’s hard-earned holidays with strike action will not improve the deal”.

The employer said staff at Heathrow are paid at least the London Living Wage, while the starting salary for a security officer would be £27,754, plus shift pay and allowances, if its 10% offer is accepted.