British airport operator BAA and the Unite union, which is representing ground staff at the airports, have agreed to talks on Monday in hopes of putting off a strike. Unite said that 75% of the employees who voted, voted for a walkout over pay. The vote came after the union rejected a 1% pay increase and changes to working conditions. A strike has the potential to disrupt air travel during the August bank holiday, because fire fighters and security guards could participate in the walkout. Regulations require minimum staffing levels for those positions. BAA says that their offer was fair because of the turmoil the airlines have experienced this year. Both parties say they are hoping for an amicable resolution.
See "BAA and union agree to talks over pay", Gill Pimmer, Financial Times, August 12, 2010