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POTENTIALLY crippling strikes scheduled to go ahead at Stansted Airport this month have been called off after bosses and unions reached an agreement over pensions.

The announcement that a 24-hour strike and a further 48-hour walkout had been shelved followed a last-minute round of talks between airport operator BAA and unions UNITE and the Public and Commercial Service Union, who represented some 1,000 workers at the airport.

The row erupted after BAA announced it would close its pension scheme to new staff members, sparking fears among current staff that it would mean the end of the scheme.

Airport staff, including clerical and security employees, voted for three days of strike action, originally planned to begin at 6am on Monday, January 7 January, but that walkout was cancelled after New Year's Eve talks.

Two further strikes were scheduled, for 24 hours from 6am on Monday, January 14, with a 48-hour walkout from 6am on January 17.

Talks to discuss any future changes to the pension scheme are now set to go ahead in the coming months, with an independent expert to assess the fund.

A spokesman for the PCSU hailed the talks as a triumph and said the unions were "collectively confident" the threat of industrial strikes could now be lifted.

He said: "We're now ready to open proper and meaningful talks over the future of the scheme. BAA has made a full commitment to address all of the issues we've raised."

He added the company had re-opened its scheme to new employees.

A BAA spokesman said: "We welcome the announcement by trade unions that an agreement has been reached and all proposed industrial action has been cancelled. This is good news for our passengers and airline customers."

4:14pm Thursday 3rd January 2008

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