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Airport strike talks 'under way' No agreement over airport dispute
(about 5 hours 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. Talks between unions and airport operator BAA aimed at avoiding industrial action in the New Year have ended without agreement.
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 on 7 and 14 January, and a 48-hour strike starting on 17 January.
If they go ahead, thousands of people using UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, could be affected.
The strike vote came after BAA's Spanish owners closed its final salary pension scheme to new entrants.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. So far, no dates have been set for further negotiations. However, union officials said there was still time to reach an agreement.
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
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.
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".
'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." Leaders of Unite and BAA tried unsuccessfully to resolve the dispute on Thursday during talks lasting several hours.
Afterwards, a union spokesman said: "As things stand, the industrial action set to begin on 7 January will go ahead."
The strikes would hit Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, as well as Gatwick and Heathrow, and BAA say 1.3 million passengers would be affected.
'Unnecessary'
Previously, Unite 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 delaysFurther delays
Many travellers have already experienced significant problems at the UK's airports over the summer.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.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.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.They have warned that the changes, due to come into force on 7 January, would lead to further delays and confusion for passengers.