The result of a vote that could lead to strikes at some of the UK's busiest airports is to be announced.
The result of a vote that could lead to strikes at some of the UK's busiest airports is to be announced.
Leaders of trade union Unite are confident that the vote will give them a mandate to call a strike.
Leaders of trade union Unite are confident that the vote will give them a mandate to call a strike.
Industrial action could start as soon as 28 December but may be delayed until after the Christmas holiday period.
Industrial action could start as soon as 28 December but may be delayed until after the Christmas holiday period.
On Thursday, cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic announced they would be calling two 48 hour strikes in January in a dispute over pay.
On Thursday, cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic announced they would be calling two 48 hour strikes in January in a dispute over pay.
The dispute at BAA, which operates seven UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, is about the closure of the final salary pension scheme to new employees.
The dispute at BAA, which operates seven UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, is about the closure of the final salary pension scheme to new employees.
'Financially sound'
'Financially sound'
Union members involved include firefighters and security staff, without whom the airports cannot operate.
Union members involved include firefighters and security staff, without whom the airports cannot operate.
Unite national officer Brendan Gold said: "BAA has just posted profits of over £500m and the Spanish owners Ferrovial have seen their profits rise by nearly 60%.
Unite national officer Brendan Gold said: "BAA has just posted profits of over £500m and the Spanish owners Ferrovial have seen their profits rise by nearly 60%.
"It is clear that the pension scheme is financially sound, and should be left alone."
"It is clear that the pension scheme is financially sound, and should be left alone."
Unite represents 5,000 airport workers employed by BAA.
Unite represents 5,000 airport workers employed by BAA.
As well as Heathrow and Gatwick, BAA operates Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton.
As well as Heathrow and Gatwick, BAA operates Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton.
'Detailed assurances'
'Detailed assurances'
A BAA spokesman said: "BAA has given clear and unequivocal assurances that existing employees will not be affected by the end of the final salary pension scheme and that its replacement for new employees will be of the highest quality.
A BAA spokesman said: "BAA has given clear and unequivocal assurances that existing employees will not be affected by the end of the final salary pension scheme and that its replacement for new employees will be of the highest quality.
"During the past few weeks we have offered to give more detailed assurances to union representatives.
"During the past few weeks we have offered to give more detailed assurances to union representatives.
"We believe the way to resolve this is through negotiation."
"We believe the way to resolve this is through negotiation."
The result of the ballot comes a day after cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic voted for industrial action in a separate row over pay.
The result of the ballot comes a day after cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic voted for industrial action in a separate row over pay.
Two 48-hour strikes have been pencilled in for 9 January and 16 January.
Two 48-hour strikes have been pencilled in for 9 January and 16 January.
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway said: "It is surprising that Unite has taken this step of calling action when they had previously helped to put together the deal and strongly recommended that its members accept it."
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway said: "It is surprising that Unite has taken this step of calling action when they had previously helped to put together the deal and strongly recommended that its members accept it."
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