Strike Looms for British Airports after New Year's

There could be disruption to airline flights in and out of Britain's airports this new year after the Unite Union decided to vote on strike action. If the workers vote to strike then it will affect seven of the countries biggest airports Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The Union is warning that if Strike Action does take place the airports may have to close. The union is protesting about cuts in the final salary pension scheme.

"BAA (who owns and operates the airports) has just posted profits of over five hundred million pounds and the Spanish owners Ferrovial have seen their profits rise by nearly sixty per cent. It is clear that the pension scheme is financially sound, and should be left alone," said Unite national secretary for civil air transport Brendan Gold. "It is no wonder BAA has a strike ballot on its hands coming up to one of its busiest seasons," he continued. "The timing of this dispute is entirely down to BAA and its Madrid paymasters."

For it's part the airports owners have asked the union to participate in talks aimed at averting strike action. A spokesman for BAA said, "BAA regrets the union's threat of industrial action, particularly in the Christmas period. It is unnecessary and it fails to put the interests of passengers first. BAA has given clear and unequivocal assurances that existing employees will not be affected by the end of the final salary pension scheme and that its replacement for new employees will be of the highest quality."

Unite says that BAA and Ferrovial should understand that the workforce has lost trust in them. Not allowing new employees to join the company's final salary pension scheme after December 1 was viewed as being the first step in the axing of the whole scheme for everyone.

There are 5,000 staff that belong to the union including airport firefighters, security, maintenance, administrative and clerical staff. The Ballot will be open from Nov 29th to Dec 30th. If the union's members decide to strike they have to give 7 days notice and must strike within 28 days.

About 1.5 Million people are expected to use the airports over the New Year. British Airways, Britain's Largest airline said: "We are talking with BAA and will develop contingency plans." Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airline said: "We would urge both sides to work together to find a solution so that passengers are not affected by any action."

The BAA has been owned by a consortium lead by Spanish company Ferrovial since June 2006

The Union Unite was formed when the Transport and General Workers Union and Amicus Union merged in May 07.