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Strike threat to Christmas flights could lead to holiday airport chaos
Last updated at 15:52pm on 29.11.07Strike ballot papers were being issued today to 5,000 airport workers in a dispute which threatens to cancel hundreds of flights over Christmas and the New Year holidays.
Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted face shutdown on strike days.
Unite, Britain's largest union, expects "overwhelming support" for the action over pensions.
The result will be declared on Thursday, 20 December. The union must then give seven days' notice of any walkout meaning the first could take place from Thursday 27 December.
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Busy: Queue chaos at Heathrow last Christmas
Airport firefighters, security, maintenance and clerical staff are taking part in the ballot over plans by airport owner BAA to close its final salary pension scheme to new employees from Saturday.
Brendan Gold, Unite national secretary for civil aviation, said: "BAA has just posted profits of more than £500million and its Spanish owner Ferrovial has seen its profits rise by nearly 60 per cent. It is clear that the pension scheme is financially sound and should be left alone."
Mr Gold said the workforce had "lost trust" in BAA and the employees was being viewed as the "first step in axing the whole scheme for everyone".
A spokesman for BAA said the strike threat was "unnecessary" and the company wanted to continue to hold talks with the union.
• Bus drivers and supervisors working for First West have been called out on strike over pay on Friday 7 December.
First West operates services from garages in Westbourne Park, Greenford, Willesden Junction, Acton and Alperton.
Reader views (14)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
To use the public as a pawn in their dispute and to threaten strike action at the busiest time of year, is wrong, unethical and shows a complete lack of conscience and responsibility. They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
- John Adam, London, UK
I know the strike has not been confirmed, however, the strike won't only affect the strikers employers' pockets. I'm hopefully to fly out on the 30/12/07 - I have contacted the Airline and my travel insurance - seems that due to the potential strike and the "notice period" my travel insurance doesn't cover me and the airline will not offer a refund, they will only to put me on their next flight, which could be after my holiday. So the airlines would receive millions from BAA but Joe public would be out of pocket. Doesn't seem fair.
- Paul, London
Does anybody here understand the problem? All BAA are saying is that they will no longer take 20 odd years of re-investment risk for their employees. They are not saying they will not contribute to employees pensions. As car companies etc. have shown us, you can not operate a business these days with those sorts of liabilities. It's not a Socialist state (yet) so you have to look after yourself.
- Mark, London, UK
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