"British Airport Strike Talks Deadlocked"

Thursday, December 27, 2007

British Airport Strike Talks Deadlocked 
The Associated Press 


LONDON - Talks between unions and management aimed at averting strikes next
month at some of Britain's busiest airports ended without agreement Thursday
night, officials said.

Workers at seven airports, including London's Heathrow and Gatwick, voted
last week to stage three strikes in the new year after airport operator BAA
PLC announced plans to change its employee pension plan.

Leaders of the Unite union met for several hours with BAA management but
both sides said the dispute remained deadlocked.

No further dates have been set for negotiations although union officials
stressed there is still time to prevent the strikes.

The first strike will be for 24 hours on Jan. 7; the second will be for 24
hours on Jan. 14, and the third will be for 48 hours starting Jan 17.
Edinburgh, Stansted, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton are the other
airports affected.

Workers involved include firefighters, maintenance and security staff and
clerical workers, the union said.

"BAA is disappointed that today's talks have not succeeded in resolving this
dispute," the airport operator said in a statement.

BAA said none of its current workers would be affected by the planned
changes _ which would close the final salary pension scheme to new
employees.


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