Threatened go-slow risks shutdown of Britain's major airports

BRITISH airport operator BAA (a private company once known as British Airports Authority) will meet with union representatives today to stave off a go-slow or the possible shutdown of airports in London, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, causing major disruptions to cargo flow.

The Unite union includes firemen, security guards, engineers and support staff who voted 3:1 for "industrial action" over pay. Half the staff abstained from the vote.

The Unite union was expected to announce strike dates today. Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) chief Peter Harwood said talks would take place "at an undisclosed location" midday (GMT) Monday.

Said BAA: "We look forward to meeting the trade unions at ACAS on Monday and are ready to meet over the weekend or any time that the unions are available," BAA said. "We hope that we can quickly conclude an agreement."

Union representatives were not available for comment, reported Dow Jones.

By law, the union must give BAA a week's notice of strike action and so a strike could begin August 23, ahead of Britain's August Bank Holiday the following weekend.

The union balloted 6,185 staff at BAA's six airports, Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Madrid-based Grupo Ferrovial (FER.MC) owns BAA.

"Fewer than half of those people eligible to vote have done so and we do not believe this result provides a clear mandate for strike action," BAA said Thursday.

BAA staff had accepted a pay freeze in 2009, and this year the operator is offering a one per cent increase.
(Source:www.schednet.com)