A strike set to cause misery for thousands of Christmas air passengers was called off last night, but rail commuters are being threatened with further walkouts in the new year.
The RMT, one of the unions behind the cancellation of Southern Rail services, is threatening walkouts on London Underground early next year as a result of a dispute over job cuts.
However, a proposed strike by baggage handlers and check-in staff at 18 airports across Britain was cancelled last night. The walkout was due to take place for 48 hours from Friday.
About 1,500 members of the Unite union employed by Swissport were planning the action in protest at a pay offer of 4.65 per cent over three years. The action was called off after talks at Acas.
However, more than 2,000 British Airways cabin crew based at Heathrow will strike for 48 hours from Christmas Day and Virgin Atlantic pilots will work to rule from Friday.
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Post Office workers are taking action over jobs, pensions and closures that has shut dozens of branches. Royal Mail said Christmas post was not affected.
RMT members on Southern Rail walked out on Sunday in a dispute over the role of guards. Southern will be hit by three days of strikes from New Year’s Eve and drivers also plan to walk out for six days from January 9.
The Southern Rail strikes are costing the economy £11 million a day, according to a study by Dave Cooper, of the University of Chichester. “If the next scheduled strike days go ahead, the total would be brought to just under £396 million,” he said.
Theresa May is facing pressure from MPs to take a harder line with unions. Tim Loughton, a former Conservative minister, proposed plans to force rail companies to give customers far swifter access to compensation for disruption.
Other Tory MPs want the government to impose tougher strike laws.
