All Three BAA UK Airport Strikes Now Called Off
On the 31st December 2007, it was confirmed that the first of three strikes planned across the network of British airports owned by airport operating group BAA would not proceed.
Now, four days later, it has emerged that the other two will also now not go ahead. A vote held by union officials decided the action, following BAA’s easing of proposals to change the pension rights of new employees.
Airport Strikes Would Have Affected Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick
Had they been carried out, the strikes would have had a significant impact on some of the UK’s busiest airports. The seven owned by BAA include London Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick and Glasgow.
In line with the revised plan, a meeting will now be held between the unions and the airport operating group to give consideration to the pension fund’s future.
Originally, a trio of strikes was planned by the Public and Commercial Services Union and Unite – the two unions involved. Two of these would have lasted for 24 hours, and taken place on January 7th and 14th. A 48 hour one, meanwhile, was slated for January 17th.
1.3 Million Travellers Would Have Been Affected, Said BAA
BAA anticipated that these actions would have affected 1.3 million travellers overall.
“Proper consultations” on the direction the pension scheme will take from here onwards will now be held, according to union officials.
Heathrow Airport Widely Criticised in 2007
As well as those mentioned above, the BAA UK airport network also includes Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Southampton. Its flagship site, London Heathrow Airport, came under frequent attack in 2007, with prominent political and corporate figures highlighting its failings.
Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Executive, Steve Ridgway, labelled Heathrow a “horrible experience”, which is “ruining air travel.” Earlier in 2007, the airport’s Chief Executive, Tony Douglas, handed in his notice, stating at the time that Heathrow was “bursting at the seams”, and held together by “sticking plaster”.
The end of March will see the opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5, the advent of which, it is hoped, will act to ease the airport’s current issues.
Airport International will continue to provide unrivalled coverage of the very latest events to emerge, in respect of both London Heathrow and the now-abandoned airport strikes.
Source – Airport International’s London Reporter
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