Breakthrough in BA dispute

A deal to end the British Airways swipe-card dispute was agreed tonight ending the threat of further disruption to the airline's flights.

The breakthrough came after another day of talks between the company and leaders of three unions in an attempt to avoid a repeat of wildcat strikes which caused travel chaos at Heathrow Airport.

The agreement came twelve days after an unofficial walk-out by hundreds of check-in staff at Heathrow in protest at plans to impose a new electronic system for clocking in and out of work.

Leaders of the Transport and General Workers Union, GMB and Amicus argued with BA that the new swipe card system should not be imposed because of fears among workers that it would lead to big changes in their shift patterns.

The agreement followed two days of talks held at the London headquarters of the TUC under the chairmanship of TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.