Epress.am News from Armenia
Talks to try to avert a strike at BAA’s six UK airports could start this weekend after Acas said it was seeking an early meeting between the two sides, reports BBC News.
The move by the conciliation service comes after members of the Unite union voted on Thursday to hold walkouts in a dispute over pay with BAA.
Any strikes would close Heathrow, Southampton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stansted and Aberdeen airports.
Unite has said it will not decide any dates for walkouts until Monday.
This opens the possibility of talks chaired by Acas taking place over the weekend.
“We can confirm that Acas will be facilitating an early meeting of the parties once diaries can be cleared,” said Acas chief conciliator Peter Harwood.
If strikes do take place, the six airports would have to close because essential staff such as firefighters are due to take part.
BAA has said it regrets “the uncertainty this vote has already caused our passengers and airline customers”.
Unite members of BAA staff have rejected the company’s pay offer, which is worth up to 1.5%.
BAA says it is a fair proposal after a year in which it has seen a decline in passengers due to the impacts of recession and volcanic ash.