British Airport Staff Plans Strike in January

By Matthew Williams
03:12, December 22nd 2007
81 votes
Vote this story

British workers at the airports in Britain are theatening with a strike at the beginning of the year that will bring chaos for travellers.

Over one million passengers will be affected by the strike of almost 5,000 airport workers who will protest over pensions, Guardian Unlimited reports.

Other strikes are also planned on trains, buses and airplanes.

Seven of the British airports may be closed as British Airports Authority (BAA) staff will go on stirke.

The major airports that will face this will be London’s  Heathrow and Gatwick. Other airports that will be affected are Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stansted and Aberdeen.

Workers from security guards, adminsitrators, to firefighters will begin strike on January 7 at 6 a.m. for 24 hours, at 6 a.m. on January 14. The third strike will be held on January 17 and will last 48 hours, the Press Association informs.

Airports Manchester, East Midlands and Liverpool's John Lennon will have to cope with trafic on strike days. These airports are not owned by BAA.

After BAA announced that it will close for new entrants company’s final salary pension scheme, the members of the Unite union voted 2-1 for a strike in a ballot.

National Officer Brendan Gold said: "I am astonished and amazed at the way BAA has refused to tackle this issue. BAA has just posted profits of over £500 million and the Spanish owners Ferrovial have seen their profits rise by nearly 60%. It is clear that our members' pension scheme is financially sound and should be left alone. After a series of fruitless meetings with the company our members have been left with no option but to resort to industrial action to defend their interests."

Unions said that they are opened to discussions with BAA about pension schemes but only if the company takes the decision to close the sheme for new entrants.

Unions were asked by BAA to dicuss.

A spokesman for BAA said: "We continue to believe that industrial action is unnecessary, as none of our existing employees will be affected by the changes to our pension arrangements.”

He also said that BAA recognises that these are important issues and that they will be discussed with the unions and staff. He asked for the understanding of the passengers during the talks.

 

 



© 2007 - 2008 - eFluxMedia
dotclear

Other News in

Bankruptcy-threatened Valencia Mull Star Sales

Madrid - Troubled Spanish giants Valencia are considering selling off their most important stars - in order to reduce their massive debts. Sports daily Marca said on Wednesday that Premier League...

Hebron Settler Standoff Could Be Shape Of Things To Come

Tel Aviv - The tense, violent standoff surrounding a disputed house in Hebron underscores once again the problems Israel faces as it grapples with radical and radicalised settlers who are...

German Prince Seeks Return Of Property

Potsdam, Germany - Some 63 years after the end of World War II, a German prince is trying to secure the return of land and property seized from his family after an abortive bomb plot against Hitler....

Peace Process Hangs By A Thread As Mideast Enters New Year

Tel Aviv/Ramallah - The Middle East peace process is hanging by a thread as 2009 is nearing - just one year after negotiations were revived following seven years of violence. Israel is heading to...

Another High-Profile Murder Heats Egyptian Tempers

Cairo - Just months after an Egyptian business tycoon was charged in the murder of a Lebanese singer, Egyptian society has been riveted by another high-profile murder involving a famous singer....

dotclear
Latest videos in World
Rice's mission after Mumbai...
Doctor relives Taj Mahal...
Bangkok airport reopens
Bhopal battle for justice
Thai airport siege ends

dotclear
World You are here: World
» World   » Business   » U.S.   
E-mail To A Friend Print RSS Text size: Decrease font size Increase font size
dotclear
dotclear
dotclear
Most Popular in World
World AIDS Day Is Here! Get Tested For HIV!World AIDS Day Is Here! Get Tested For HIV!

» read full story
dotclear

Interested In This Topic?

News Alert will keep you informed. Find out more.
dotclear
Photos Gallery
dotclear
Today's Latest News
R&B Singers Sued By PhotographerR&B Singers Sued By Photographer

» read full story
dotclear