Global Airport News
Airport operator BAA and the Unite union have reached a deal to prevent a strike by ground staff at major UK airports this month, officials said on Monday.
"We are pleased to report that a basis for settlement has been agreed," said Chief Conciliator Peter Harwood, from the conciliation service Acas, in a statement after a meeting between both parties.
He said the details of the negotiations would be announced on Tuesday.
The threatened walk-out by ground staff including security guards, firemen and engineers over a pay dispute would have likely shut BAA's six British airports, which include London's Heathrow and Stansted, disrupting the plans of thousands of travellers at the height of the summer travel season.
Terry Morgan, from BAA, owned by Spanish group Ferrovial, said both sides were pleased with the deal.
"We believe that the unions are going to recommend acceptance of our offer to their membership, and if that's the case, then we are very, very confident that any disruption to our airport operations has now been avoided," he said.
Unite National Secretary Brendan Gold said both sides had reached a settlement that it was prepared to recommend to its members.
"We are very pleased to be able to reassure the travelling public that we for our side have worked tirelessly to achieve a settlement," he said.
