BAA airport workers to strike

LONDON - Thousands of workers at seven of Britain's busiest airports have voted to strike in a dispute over pensions, their union said on Friday.

The Unite union said its members will walk out next month in protest at the closure to new employees of the final salary-linked pension scheme of airport operator BAA.

Unite's National Aviation Secretary Brendan Gold said the strike could close all seven airports. "There will be huge disruption," he told a news conference.

Union member will stage three strikes: two 24-hour walkouts starting at 6 a.m. on January 7 and January 14 and a further 48-hour strike from 6 a.m. on January 17.

The union's members include fire crews, maintenance workers, clerical staff and security staff.

The strike will affect Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports.

BAA, owned by Spain's Ferrovial, said it regretted the action and would do all it could to minimise disruption to passengers.