This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7165196.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
BAA airport strike talks start up Optimism at airport strike talks
(about 2 hours later)
Talks have started to avert January strikes by staff at some of Britain's busiest airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh. Union leaders are hopeful of reaching a basic agreement during talks aimed at averting January strikes at the UK's busiest airports, including Heathrow.
The Unite union is planning two 24-hour strikes, and one 48-hour stoppage at seven airports across Britain.
The meeting comes after talks between management and unions over a proposed change to pensions collapsed last week.
A union negotiator told the BBC that he was hopeful the basis of an agreement could be reached by the end of the day.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 is meeting union leaders after previous talks over a proposed change to pension rights collapsed last week. The union 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.
The Unite union is planning two 24-hour strikes, and one 48-hour stoppage. The strikes, if they go ahead, would affect all of BAA's seven UK airports at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton.
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. Airport operator BAA has said 1.3 million passengers would be affected.
The strikes, if they go ahead would affect all of BAA's seven UK airports, including Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports.
BAA has said 1.3 million passengers would be affected.
OptimismOptimism
The planned industrial action is in protest at the closure of BAA's final salary pension scheme to new workers. The planned industrial action is in protest at the closure of final salary pension scheme to new workers by BAA 's Spanish owners.
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 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. The negotiations, at an undisclosed location, will be held with leaders of Unite and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU).
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. A negotiator for the PCSU, Paul Smith, told the BBC that they hoped they would see the basis of an agreement by the end of today.
Stephen Nelson, BAA's chief executive, is understood to be leading the negotiations with union representatives.
BAA welcomed the union's optimism and expressed hope that it would be reflected in the talks.
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.
Baggage change
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 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.