Airport operator BAA and Unite union hold talks aimed at averting ground staff strikes

Airport operator, union in talks to avert strike

LONDON — Airport operator BAA and the Unite union will hold talks aimed at averting strikes by ground staff that could close Britain’s major airports this month and disrupt holiday travel.

Conciliation service Acas said Friday that both sides have agreed to meet as soon as possible.

Unite says it will decide on Monday what action to take after workers voted in favor of a walkout.

BAA says any strike action would force it to close its airports — which include Heathrow, Stansted, Glasgow and Edinburgh — because the potential strikers include essential workers like firefighters, security guards and engineers.

Unite has to give seven days notice of any strike. Analysts speculate Unite will select the August bank holiday weekend — the last weekend of the month — to maximize disruption.