Major UK airports face New Year strike misery in row over pensions

THOUSANDS of workers at some of the UK's biggest airports including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are to vote on strike action in a row over pensions, threatening New Year travel chaos.

The Unite union said 5,000 of its members employed by the British Airports Authority (BAA) will be balloted over the next few weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action in protest at plans to stop new entrants joining the final salary pension scheme from December.

National officer Brendan Gold said BAA had posted profits of more than £500m, while Spanish owner Ferrovial had seen its profits rise by almost 60%.

"It is clear that the pension scheme is financially sound and should be left alone. BAA and Ferrovial should understand that the workers have lost trust in them," Gold said.

Not allowing new employees to join the final salary pension scheme from December 1 was viewed as the first step in axing the entire scheme for everyone, said Unite. "It is no wonder BAA has a strike ballot on its hands coming up to one of its busiest times. The timing of this dispute is entirely down to BAA and its Madrid paymasters."

The workers include firefighters, security, maintenance and admin staff at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow, Stansted, Southampton, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The ballot result is due just before Christmas, and Unite will have to give seven days' notice of action if there is a 'yes' vote.

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."

The spokesman added: "During the past few weeks we have offered to give more detailed assurances to union representatives. We believe the way to resolve this is through negotiation.

"Using the threat of industrial action, particularly at Christmas, can only create uncertainty for our passengers and their families."