Airport strikes talks collapse

LAST-ditch talks to avert two airport strikes collapsed last night, threatening chaos for thousands of passengers. Workers who refuel aircraft for 40 airlines at Heathrow were due to begin a 48-hour walkout at 4.30am today.

A further 600 staff at Gatwick, including baggage handlers, are ready to stop work at 3am tomorrow in a separate 24-hour stoppage. More than 1,000 flights from the two airports face disruption.

Talks to prevent the Heathrow strike failed when members of the Transport and General Workers' Union, who want an 11% rise, rejected an offer from employers AFS. Just 40 key workers are involved in the action, but they represent 40% of the workers refuelling planes.

At Gatwick, talks between employers and union officials ended in deadlock. Workers there plan a further strike next Thursday over pressure of work and a suspended shop steward.

The dispute involves staff working for Servisair, the airport's second largest firm involved in baggage handling.

At Heathrow, AFS provides services for airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, American Airlines, United Airlines and Air Canada.

Airlines flying from Gatwick which could be affected include easyJet, Ryanair, Delta and Continental and charter firms Thomas Cook, Britannia, My Travel and excel.