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Talks aim to halt airport strikes BAA airport strike talks start up
(about 5 hours later)
Talks aimed at averting January strikes by staff at some of Britain's busiest airports are due to take place later. Talks have started to avert January strikes by staff at some of Britain's busiest airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh.
The Unite union has called strikes for 7-8, 14-15 and 17-19 January, with firefighters and security staff among those set to walk out. A union negotiator told the BBC that he was hopeful the basis of an agreement could be reached by the end of the day.
Airport operator BAA will meet union leaders after previous talks collapsed. Airport operator BAA is meeting union leaders after previous talks over a proposed change to pension rights collapsed last week.
The strikes, over a proposed change to pension rights, are planned at all of BAA's seven UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh. The Unite union is planning two 24-hour strikes, and one 48-hour stoppage.
The company, which also operates Stansted, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, has said 1.3 million passengers will be affected if the strikes go ahead. It is planning 24-hour strikes on 7 and 14 January from 0600 GMT, and a 48-hour strike on 17 January also from 0600 GMT.
Unite is planning 24-hour strikes starting at 0600 GMT on 7 and 14 January and a 48-hour strike from 0600 GMT on 17 January. The strikes, if they go ahead would affect all of BAA's seven UK airports, including Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports.
Pension dispute BAA has said 1.3 million passengers would be affected.
Monday's fresh talks at an undisclosed location will be held with leaders of Unite and the Public and Commercial Services Union. Optimism
The planned industrial action is in protest at the closure of BAA's final salary pension scheme to new workers.
The talks were restarted at the request of BAA, raising expectations that the airport operator may be prepared to shift its position over the closure of the pension scheme.
Monday's fresh talks at an undisclosed location will be held with leaders of Unite and the Public and Commercial Services Union PSC.
A negotiator for the PSC union, Paul Smith, told the BBC that they hoped they would see the basis of an agreement by the end of today.
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.
Its members also include maintenance and clerical staff.Its members also include maintenance and clerical staff.
The planned industrial action is in protest at the closure of BAA's final salary pension scheme to new workers.
Last week both sides spent several hours in talks that ended without a breakthrough.Last week both sides spent several hours in talks that ended without a breakthrough.
The trade unions have insisted the decision to close the final salary pension scheme must be reversed before the industrial action can be called off and negotiations on the future of the scheme are held.The trade unions have insisted the decision to close the final salary pension scheme must be reversed before the industrial action can be called off and negotiations on the future of the scheme are held.
Brendan Gold, Unite national aviation officer, will lead the union negotiators at Monday's talks.Brendan Gold, Unite national aviation officer, will lead the union negotiators at Monday's talks.
Baggage rule changeBaggage rule change
He said the unions avoided taking industrial action over the Christmas holiday period but stressed that workers were determined to secure the future of the pension scheme for all members.He said the unions avoided taking industrial action over the Christmas holiday period but stressed that workers were determined to secure the future of the pension scheme for all members.
The union said 1,946 members had voted to strike, with 1,108 voting against direct action.The union said 1,946 members had voted to strike, with 1,108 voting against direct action.
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.