Strike ballot opens for BAA staff
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BAA workers are to begin balloting for strike action today following an on-going feud over wages. More than 6,000 security personnel, engineers, firefighters and support staff across BAA’s airports are to vote in the ballot. If it is successful and strike action occurs, some of the UK’s busiest airports including Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton and Glasgow could temporarily close, causing disruption for family holidays in late August. Workers are unhappy about a 1% pay increase with pending 0.5% after they accepted a pay freeze last year. They will also not gain a bonus as the airport operator missed its earnings targets by 3%. “BAA’s measly pay offer is nothing short of confrontational,” said Unite National Officers for Civil Action Brendan Gold and Brian Boyd, who are fronting the campaign. “Last year, staff accepted a pay freeze, their generosity helped the company, BAA has returned the favour with no bonus and a 1% pay offer when inflation is currently 5%.” Unite and BAA have been in talks for several months. The union said it would consider a ‘fairer and more realistic’ deal. “We are disappointed that Unite is to ballot members across its UK airports for strike action,” said BAA. “We regret Unite’s decision, which will cause unnecessary concern for millions of our passengers and damage Britain’s reputation around the world.”
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