HEATHROW staff demanded bosses address the “disgraceful” workplace conditions as 30 per cent of workers today warned they fell ill as a result of poor facilities.

About 82 per cent of staff surveyed by Unite said there had been problems over the past year, while some said they found mice droppings in the kitchen area.

Nearly half (43 per cent) said there were not enough toilets in their workplace, while 61 per cent warned toilets were not clear nor well maintained.

Staff in security, in catering, cleaning and ground and luggage handling, who figure among the 30,000 Unite members at Heathrow, took part in the survey.

Regional officer Michelle Braveboy said: “For years, our members at Heathrow airport have been calling for better facilities. The conditions they currently work under are nowhere near good enough and change is urgently needed.

“Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) must listen to our demands and work with Unite to implement improvements to worker conditions at Heathrow as a matter of priority.”

One worker said they had seen “mice droppings in my food plates bowl and coffee cup, in my toolbox and tools and on my overalls and boots. I am deeply concerned that it is only a matter of time before myself or a colleague will get seriously ill.”

Another said rest areas are “far too small,” adding that workers have only had access to “one microwave and one kettle for over 30 people,” while others complained about excessive temperatures in rest areas.

An airport spokesperson said they take cleanliness “incredibly seriously and have teams working day and night to keep Heathrow clean.

“While we don’t recognise the extent of the claims in this poll, we will always investigate and deal with reports of pests.”