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| Airport strike talks 'under way' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Strike talks have begun between unions and airport operator BAA, as the two sides try to avoid industrial action that could hit thousands of travellers. | |
| The Unite union has called 24-hour strikes starting at 0600 GMT on 7 and 14 January, and a 48-hour strike starting at 0600 GMT on 17 January. | The Unite union has called 24-hour strikes starting at 0600 GMT on 7 and 14 January, and a 48-hour strike starting at 0600 GMT on 17 January. |
| The strike vote came after BAA's Spanish owners closed its final salary pension scheme to new entrants. | |
| Strikes would affect seven UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick. | Strikes would affect seven UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick. |
| BAA, which also operates Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, said 1.3 million passengers would be affected if the strikes went ahead. | BAA, which also operates Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, said 1.3 million passengers would be affected if the strikes went ahead. |
| Hopefully today, we'll see a change of heart from BAA management and we can avoid this dispute Paul Smith, PCS union | Hopefully today, we'll see a change of heart from BAA management and we can avoid this dispute Paul Smith, PCS union |
| A spokesman for Unite said that the talks would last a couple of hours, adding that it was not certain that they would resolve the problems. | A spokesman for Unite said that the talks would last a couple of hours, adding that it was not certain that they would resolve the problems. |
| However, he said that it was always useful for the two sides to keep talking. | However, he said that it was always useful for the two sides to keep talking. |
| Paul Smith of the PCS union told the BBC's World at One that the strikes would have a serious effect and would mean the closure of seven airports. | Paul Smith of the PCS union told the BBC's World at One that the strikes would have a serious effect and would mean the closure of seven airports. |
| However, Mr Smith said he remained "hopeful that in the days to come, hopefully today, we'll see a change of heart from BAA management and we can avoid this dispute". | However, Mr Smith said he remained "hopeful that in the days to come, hopefully today, we'll see a change of heart from BAA management and we can avoid this dispute". |
| 'Unnecessary' | 'Unnecessary' |
| The union has said the pension decision must be reversed and blamed the Spanish owners for the problems. | The union has said the pension decision must be reversed and blamed the Spanish owners for the problems. |
| Previously, Unite's national aviation officer Brendan Gold said: "It is not a UK management decision but a decision taken in Spain that I do not believe has the backing of the UK management team." | Previously, Unite's national aviation officer Brendan Gold said: "It is not a UK management decision but a decision taken in Spain that I do not believe has the backing of the UK management team." |
| BAA has said existing employees would not be affected and described strike action as unnecessary. | BAA has said existing employees would not be affected and described strike action as unnecessary. |
| Unite represents about 6,000 airport workers employed by BAA, including firefighters and security staff, without whom the airports cannot operate. | Unite represents about 6,000 airport workers employed by BAA, including firefighters and security staff, without whom the airports cannot operate. |
| The date of the first strike, 7 January, is the day when rules on the amount of permitted carry-on baggage are due to change, which was already expected to cause some confusion in airports. | The date of the first strike, 7 January, is the day when rules on the amount of permitted carry-on baggage are due to change, which was already expected to cause some confusion in airports. |
| Passengers will be allowed two items of carry-on baggage but only if they are at an airport that has bought a new type of 3D scanner. | Passengers will be allowed two items of carry-on baggage but only if they are at an airport that has bought a new type of 3D scanner. |
| Cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic recently announced they would be calling two 48-hour strikes in January in a dispute over pay. | Cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic recently announced they would be calling two 48-hour strikes in January in a dispute over pay. |
| Further delays | |
| Many travellers have already experienced significant problems at the UK's airports over the summer. | |
| Heathrow was one of the worst hit airports, with thousands of travellers queuing for hours following the introduction of tougher security measures. | |
| Should BAA's airports be hit by strike action next month, then it would come at a time when many observers have already voiced concerns about plans to ease the restrictions on the amount of passenger hand luggage. | |
| They have warned that the changes, due to come into force on 7 January, would lead to further delays and confusion for passengers. |