Flights from seven of Britain's busiest airports could be halted after firefighters and security guards voted to strike over pay.
The British Airports Authority yesterday proposed fresh negotiations as leaders of thousands of workers at the privatised operator's airports prepared to meet on Monday to discuss strike dates.
Leaders of the Transport and General Workers Union and Amicus said the postal ballot results reflected the "sheer frustration" of BAA employees at Stansted, Southampton, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Heathrow and Gatwick.
Pilots warned the one-day walkouts by 2,500 employees, threatened from the end of the month, could ground planes if safety could not be guaranteed.
BAA said its offer was worth 6.3% over two years while the unions said pay would go up 1.7% from last April and 3% next April plus two payments of £150 per head. Airport union leaders will consider organising stoppages to coincide with nationalstrikes by the Fire Brigades Union.
The FBU, threatening to strike from 6pm next Wednesday, yesterday accused Downing Street of playing "dangerous games" by accusing the government of planning to leak details this weekend of a pay offer expected to be tabled next Tuesday.
In Scotland, union leaders and Glasgow's subway managers were locked in talks last night to try to resolve a dispute which has seen threequarters of the city's subway drivers sacked and brought travel chaos to the city.
At least 55,000 commuters were struggling to get to work for a second day yesterday after Strathclyde Passenger Transport said it would not be reinstating any of the drivers sacked on Wednesday for "militant behaviour".
