Lift-off: Talks at Acas avert airport strike

A strike by British airport workers which threatened to spoil the late summer holiday plans of thousands of travellers has been averted. Talks at the conciliation service Acas between the airport operator BAA and the union Unite have apparently resolved the dispute over a 'measly' pay offer from BAA's Spanish owners.

A new "much improved" offer has been received from Grupo Ferrovial which Unite's leaders will recommend to members. A vote will be held in the coming weeks and, in the meantime, Unite has called off the strike action.

Six airports - Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen - were facing closure if the stoppages had gone ahead, because essential staff, including firefighters, would have been called out.

National officer Brian Boyd said last night: "Unite came to these negotiations with a strong mandate for industrial action. In today's negotiations between Unite and BAA, the assistance of Acas has been constructive and we are pleased to announce we are calling off strike action at BAA's six airports."

Read a full report at the Guardian ·