Deal ends threat of airport strikes - News in brief - Evening Standard
       

Deal ends threat of airport strikes

The threat of strikes at seven airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, ended when union officials accepted a peace deal aimed at resolving a row over pensions.

A walkout by thousands of firefighters, security and clerical workers next Monday had already been cancelled but further stoppages remained on the cards for January 14 and January 17/18.

The Unite union said representatives from airports decided at a meeting on Thursday to accept an agreement to hold "proper consultations" over the future of BAA's pension scheme before any changes are made.

Unions had threatened industrial action after the airport operator decided to end the final salary pension scheme for new workers.

Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen Airports faced closure if the strikes had gone ahead.

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