Airport strike called off

The first of a proposed series of three strikes by airport workers has been called off after a breakthrough was reached in negotiations.

Firefighters, security and administrative workers, including those at the UK's air transport hubs Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted, were set to suspend work on January 7th.

The strike would have lasted 24 hours and was planned in protest over BAA's decision to close its final salary pension scheme to its new employees.

However, under a provisional agreement reached with the Unite trade union, workers will now be consulted over any amendments to the pension scheme before the changes are enacted.

The next strike is scheduled for January 14th for 24 hours, followed by the final protest on January 17th for 48 hours.

Up to 5,000 workers were expected to walk out on the day - with Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports also set to be affected.

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