LONDON – Ground staff at British airport operator BAA have voted to strike in a dispute over pay, the union Unite said, a move which could shut many of the country’s busiest airports.
Unite said yesterday its members at BAA, owned by Spanish group Ferrovial, had voted three-to-one in favour of industrial action.
The union called on the company to reopen negotiations on its pay dispute. BAA said the union had only gained weak backing for a strike after just half its members took part in the vote.
Unite said its officials would meet on August 16th to decide dates for any walkouts but added it was hoping to reach a settlement with BAA without having to resort to strikes. It will have to give seven days’ notice of any action.
“For the past four months BAA has refused to even meet with us,” said union official Brendan Gold.
BAA said the vote would add to uncertainty for passengers, already hit this year by strikes by airline flight attendants and weather-related disruption.
British Airways, BAA’s largest customer, remains in dispute with Unite over changes to cabin crew pay and conditions, which has resulted in 22 days of strike so far, with no resolution in sight.
Earlier yesterday British prime minister David Cameron criticised the strike threat, saying action would do “nothing but harm”.
Unite balloted more than 6,000 BAA employees, including the security guards, firemen and engineers essential in keeping an airport running.
The union said 3,054 of those balloted had taken part in the vote, with 2,263 voting in favour and 791 against. – ( Reuters)