Passengers at Heathrow Airport are facing travel chaos as American Airlines workers voted to strike over pay.
Unite the Union confirmed today that more than 50 aircraft maintenance technicians and crew chiefs voted by 98 per cent for industrial action.
The workers are responsible for the aircraft that make 23 daily American Airlines' Heathrow departures, the union added.
Workers voted to strike after the airline proposed a three-year real-terms wage drop despite a strong recovery post-pandemic - as the company made record revenues of £11.8 billion, according to its Second-Quarter financial results for 2022.
The proposal said that in the first year, technicians would receive 5.3 per cent and crew chiefs 3.8 per cent.
In the second year, all workers would receive a lump sum cash payment, while in the third year a pay freeze would be implemented.
However, the real rate of inflation currently stands at 12.3 per cent.
Dates for the strikes will be announced in the coming days, Unite said.
American Airlines said its London-based aviation maintenance technicians are not on strike at this time and the company is in talks with the union.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Amid a cost-of-living emergency, American Airlines is proposing that our members accept a three-year pay cut. That is simply unacceptable.
"As the strength of this vote shows, our members are rock solid and ready to strike for a fair deal.
"American Airlines has boasted of its strong growth and post-pandemic rebound so let’s see that translate into a better deal for the workforce.
"Our American Airlines members have Unite's total support during these strikes."
Unite regional officer Joe McGowan said: "American Airlines’ passengers are facing severe disruption because the company is offering a significant pay cut. American Airlines must return to the negotiation table with an offer our members can accept."
A spokesperson for American Airlines told The Mirror: "At American, we're committed to making sure all of our team members are paid well and competitively.
"We're disappointed we haven't yet been able to reach a pay agreement with Unite that will ensure our London-based Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT) continue to receive industry-leading pay, but we remain committed to reaching an agreement as quickly as possible.
"There is no impact to our London maintenance operation and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers."
About 300 Unite members employed at Heathrow by United Airlines may also go on strike over pay, with a ballot for industrial action closing on October 11.
Meanwhile, further strikes are to be held by railway workers in worsening disputes over pay, jobs and conditions, as passengers suffered travel misery on Wednesday because of another walkout.
Members of the drivers' union Aslef and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) staged fresh action, leading to the cancellation of services across the country.
Picket lines were mounted outside railway stations as union leaders warned that the long-running dispute remains deadlocked.
Aslef announced that its members working on the Croydon Tramlink have rejected a pay offer and will strike on October 10 and 11.
The union's London officer, Finn Brennan, said: "The management's offer of 4.75 per cent is far below the current rate of inflation and would mean our members face real-terms pay cuts."
The workers have already staged two 48-hour strikes in the dispute.
