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UPDATED - Birmingham Airport Strike - Strike Action Cancelled

6th December 2005 ------------------------------------------------------
Story Update: Tuesday 06th December 2005
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Strike Action Cancelled - All Flights to Operate As Normal

Birmingham International Airport (BHX) have today announced that the strike action planned by the Amicus trade union at the Airport over the Christmas period has been cancelled.

The Airport Company and Amicus have agreed that the dispute will be referred to a process of independent binding arbitration.

Richard Heard, Birmingham Airport's Managing Director, said, "We are delighted that the threat of Industrial Action has been called off and the dispute has been settled with the union, which has agreed to a process of independent binding arbitration.

"We are extremely pleased that Amicus' members at the Airport made their views known and we have agreed to sit down with the union over the next couple of days to discuss the process of binding arbitration.

"I apologise for the disruption and uncertainty this situation has caused our passengers and partners, but it is now business as usual. Unless otherwise advised, passengers should turn up at the Airport for check-in as normal.”

Further Information:
Birmingham Airport - www.bhx.co.uk
Amicus - www.amicustheunion.org

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Story Update: Friday 02nd December 2005
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Talks Break Down Without Resolution (revised strike dates annonunced)

Birmingham International Airport (BHX) have confirmed that lengthy talks, facilitated through ACAS, have not been able to resolve the dispute with the Amicus trade union regarding the dismissal of two Airfield Safety Officers for serious gross misconduct.

Revised strike dates announced by Amicus are:

Thursday 8th December
Saturday 10th December
Monday 12th December
Wednesday 14th December
Monday 19th December
Saturday 24th December
Monday 26th December
Saturday 31st December
Friday 6th January 2006.

Flights will not operate from Birmingham Airport between 06:00 and 18:00 on each of the strike days.

Further Information:
Birmingham Airport - www.bhx.co.uk
Amicus - www.amicustheunion.org

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Story Update: Sunday 27th November 2005
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Birmingham Airport have released the following statement:

"Following lengthy talks with ACAS and the trade union, Amicus, the planned 12 hour strike for Monday 28th November 2005, has been averted. Further talks will take place on Monday. No further details can be given at this stage.

Other threatened strike dates previously published are: Thursday 8th December, Saturday 10th December, Monday 12th December, Monday 19th December, Saturday 24th December, Monday 26th December, Saturday 31st December and Friday 6th January 2006."

Further Information:
Birmingham Airport - www.bhx.co.uk
Amicus - www.amicustheunion.org

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Story Update: Wednesday 23rd November 2005
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Birmingham Airport (BHX) have released the following statement:

"Birmingham International Airport is extremely disappointed that the Trade Union, Amicus, continues to threaten to disrupt passengers with industrial action over a case involving two airfield Safety Officers dismissed for serious breaches of safety procedures.

The trade union has threatened industrial action on the following days: Monday 28th November, Thursday 8th December, Saturday 10th December, Monday 12th December, Monday 19th December, Saturday 24th December, Monday 26th December, Saturday 31st December and Friday 6th January 2006.

The Airport terminal will remain open as usual; however, flights will not be able to take off or land between 0600 and 1800 on each day if the strike action goes ahead and is supported by the Airport Fire Service. There is a possibility that disruption could continue outside of these times. "

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Original Story Issued: Friday 18th November 2005
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Birmingham International Airport could be forced to close over Christmas after workers voted to strike in a row over two dismissed workers.

The union Amicus said nearly 70% of its members, made up of security, fire and maintenance workers, voted in favour.

It said allegations of unauthorised absence, falsification of records and breaches of trust had no foundation. Dates for the strikes are set to be announced shortly.

Birmingham Airport management said the result was disappointing and the runway would have to close if safety was compromised.

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