HEATHROW security guards launched a 10-day strike over pay today.

About 1,400 members of Unite are involved in the walkout, covering much of the busy Easter weekend, after last-ditch talks broke down on Thursday evening.

Picket lines were mounted outside the airport and Unite said the strike was being “well supported.”

The airport said its contingency plans were working well, although some British Airways flights are expected to be cancelled.

By mid-morning a total of 42 flights to and from Heathrow had been cancelled, according to the airport’s website.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Heathrow can afford to pay a decent pay rise to its workers.

“This is a wealthy company which is about to return to bumper profits. 

“In recent years it’s approved an astronomical rise in salary for its chief executive and paid out dividends to shareholders worth billions.

“Yet somehow, Heathrow executives seem to think it’s acceptable to offer what amounts to a real-terms pay cut to its security guards and ground staff who are already on poverty pay.

“Unite has a laser-like focus on our members’ jobs, pay and conditions. 

“The workforce at Heathrow airport will receive the union’s unswerving support in this fight for a decent deal.”

Picket lines will be in place across the airport throughout the 10 days of continuous strike action, which ends at 23.59pm on Easter Sunday April 10.

The strikes involves security officers at Terminal Five, which is used exclusively by British Airways, and campus security guards who are responsible for checking all cargo that enters the airport.

Unite regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King said: “Heathrow airport has thrown away the opportunity to avoid strikes.

“The strike action will undoubtedly result in severe delays and disruption to passengers across the airport but this dispute is a direct result of Heathrow airport’s stubborn refusal to pay its workers fairly.”

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye claimed the airport was “operating as normal” and admitted using agency staff as scabs.

A BA statement said: “Due to a number of issues including the Heathrow airport strike, continued French Air Traffic Control industrial action and bad weather, we’ve been forced to make a small number of adjustments to our schedule.

“We’re sorry for the disruption to our customers’ travel plans.”