Strike ballot over pension cuts at BAA

Key workers at BAA's seven airports - including Heathrow, Gatwick and Glasgow - are to vote on strike action in protest at cuts in the final salary pension scheme at the profitable Spanish-owned company.

Over 5,000 airport firefighters, security, maintenance, administrative and clerical staff belonging to Unite, Britain's largest union, will be taking part in the ballot.

The strike ballot will start on November 29, close on December 20 and be run independently of the union. It will cover Unite members at BAA's seven airports at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

In the event of a 'yes' vote the union will have a period of 28 days to take any action, and is required to give 7 days notice.

If industrial action does take place, it is inevitable that airports affected will be closed.