Acas will try to avert BAA airport strikes

Talks could begin this weekend at Acas - the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service - in an effort to avert strikes at BAA's six British airports. Unite has said it will not make any decision on strike dates until Monday and Acas is seeking an early meeting between the two sides.

There are fears that tens of thousands of holiday-makers will have their plans affected if strikes go ahead at Heathrow, Southampton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stansted and Aberdeen airports at the end of the month. The airports would have to be closed because essential staff such as firefighters would be involved.

Unite is bound to give a minimum of a week's notice to hold a strike. So if Acas cannot resolve the issue, the first walkouts could begin in the week starting August 23.

Read a full report at BBC News ·