Airport strike talks break down

A series of 12-hour strikes are set to go ahead

Talks to avert strike action at Birmingham International Airport broke down on Thursday leaving passengers facing disruption over Christmas.

The dispute is over the sacking of two members of staff accused of taking unauthorised absence, breach of trust and alleged falsification of records.

A 12-hour walk-out planned for last Monday was called off ahead of talks.

Industrial action is now due to begin next Thursday, and eight other days of action have been announced.

Some of the strikes dates have changed from those previously announced. No date has been set for more talks between airport bosses and the unions.

The union Amicus, which represents 200 airport staff, said allegations made against the two workers are unfounded.

PLANNED STRIKE DAYS Thursday 8 December Saturday 10 December Monday 12 December Wednesday 14 December Monday19 December Saturday 24 December Monday 26 December Saturday 31 December Friday 6 January

The airport fire service, engineering, terminals, security and operations would be affected by strike action, leading to the effective shutdown of the site, with planes cancelled, diverted or delayed.

In a statement, Amicus said: "We are sensitive to public opinion during this period and we realise that many families have saved up all year for a Christmas holiday and we do not, and never have wished to, inconvenience their arrangements.

"But unfortunately, were are faced with intransigent negotiators who have dismissed our proposals.

"Amicus have been in protracted negotiations with BIA in an attempt to resolve the present situation and avert industrial action. We are very disappointed that the company has dismissed our proposals and are willing to allow passenger disruption."

An airport spokesman said it was disappointed talks had failed and the company had made concessions.

But it added the company could not agree to call sfrom the union to make a cash payment for the dismissed employees.

Other airports used

"Whilst the airport company wants to resolve this dispute so that we can work constructively to deal with genuine staff concerns, it will not be subject to demands for cash payments for employees that, through their own choice, committed acts of serious gross misconduct," he said.

The airport has been working on contingency plans in the event of a strike going ahead.

This could involve airlines relocating their fleets to airports such as Coventry, Nottingham East Midlands and Manchester.

Coaches would also be provided to transfer passengers.

Passengers with travel arrangements on the threatened strike days should, wherever possible, check with their travel arranger or airline for latest details on alterations and cancellations, the airport added.