Strike could hit flights

Thousands of holidaymakers face disruption as it was revealed today that airport staff could strike over the August bank holiday.

Union leaders are set to ballot workers as a row over increased pay for check-in staff and baggage handlers escalates. If members vote for industrial action, they could be on strike by the end of next month.

The threat of disruption was revealed today as talks reopened at Acas, between British Airways and union chiefs in an effort to avert a repeat of the strike chaos at Heathrow and Gatwick last year.

The Transport and General Workers Union said 700 United Airlines workers at Heathrow will begin their ballot on Wednesday. Talks continue regarding a further 575 American Airlines staff.

Manchester and Birmingham airports would also suffer severe disruption.

The GMB, the second biggest of two unions representing 4,000 workers, says it will stage an official ballot calling for strike action. The larger T&G is already preparing to move towards a strike ballot.

GMB national officer Allan Black said: "We have had six months of negotiations but BA has offered no more than an effective pay standstill in real terms."

BA says it has offered two options for staged pay rises - 8.5 per cent over three years or 10.5 per cent over three years, with the condition that the higher figure would not count towards pensions.

"We believe our pay offer to be fair and reasonable," said a spokesman.