Airport strikes may be averted

Hopes
are rising of averting air strikes that would disrupt the travel plans of
millions of holidaymakers over the summer.

Baggage
handlers and check-in staff at Heathrow and Gatwick had voted to take action
after rejecting a 2.5 per cent pay offer. Talks between the services group
Aviance and three trade unions broke down two weeks ago.

But
now one of the unions involved – the GMB – has said it is willing to meet
again.

A
union spokesman said: "If Aviance has a sensible proposal to make, then we
will be pleased to hear it. We would also be prepared to postpone our strike
action if we feel the company has a genuine new offer to make."

Check-in
staff currently earn an average of £12,000 a year, and baggage handlers
£16,000.

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Airlines
that could be affected by strike action include British Midlands, Iberia, Air
India, Easyjet, JAL Japan and Air Seychelles.

By Mike Berry