BRITISH Airways cleaning staff asking to be paid the London living wage are taking strike action over the busy Christmas period.

More than 80 Unite members working for facilities company OCS across the airline’s offices at Heathrow are asking their employer for £13.85 per hour, up from £12.21.

They began strike action today and will be out until December 29.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “OCS and BA are highly profitable companies, which can easily afford to pay these hardworking members of staff the London living wage.

“It is an utter disgrace that while their employers are raking in huge profits, our members have been left struggling financially in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

“This shameful situation must end and our members have Unite’s unyielding support in their fight for fair pay.”

OCS has an annual revenue of about £1.7 billion, while British Airways made profits of £1.7bn before tax in the first half of this year, the union has said.

British Airways has been contacted for comment.