"UK airports strike is called off"

Monday, December 31, 2007

Airports strike is called off
United Kingdom - The Press Association


The first of a series of New Year strikes by workers at seven airports,
including Heathrow and Gatwick, has been called off following a breakthrough
in peace talks over a row about pensions.

Thousands of firefighters, security and clerical workers were due to walk
out for 24 hours next Monday in the first of three stoppages in protest at a
decision by BAA to close its final salary pension scheme to new workers.

Following several hours of negotiations, officials from the Unite union said
an agreement had been reached in principle to hold "proper consultations"
over the future of the pension scheme before any changes are made.

The agreement will be discussed by union representatives on Thursday but in
the meantime next Monday's strike has been called off.

Further strikes planned for January 14 and January 17/18 will be called off
if the deal is accepted by the union representatives on Thursday.

A union spokesman said: "The company has agreed there will be proper
discussions before any decision is reached on the future of the pension
scheme."

The breakthrough came after almost eight hours of talks at a secret location
between leaders of Unite and the Public and Commercial Services union and
officials from BAA.

Hopes had risen during the day that a deal could be reached after both sides
expressed optimism that industrial action could be avoided.

The breakthrough will come as a huge relief to hundreds of thousands of
travellers who faced chaos if next week's strike had gone ahead.

Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen
Airports would have been closed by next week's walkout.


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