The possibility of strike action at seven UK airports remains despite industrial action scheduled for next Monday (January 7) being called off.
Negotiators from the trade union Unite and BAA, the company responsible for the affected airports including both London Heathrow and London Gatwick, reached an agreement in principle to discuss the possible closure of the company’s final pension scheme to new employees.
However, the deal is yet to be ratified by union shop stewards, with a meeting scheduled for later today (January 2). As a result the possibility of a walk-out on January 14 remains.
Despite this, Unite spokesman Andrew Murray remained confident that a consensus would eventually be reached to put an end to all the planned industrial action.
“If they endorse our agreement the strikes will be called off. But we think our main concerns have been met,” he said in a statement.
The proposed strike action by airport staff including firefighters and security workers also involves a 48-hour stoppage from 6am on January 17.
