UK: Employers plan talks with unions as transport chaos looms

Managers from Swissport will hold talks with the main union representing baggage handlers Tuesday, in one of several efforts to prevent strikes from disrupting travel over Christmas. The Unite union that represents 1,500 Swissport staff, including baggage handlers at 18 UK airports, said Friday that they would strike Dec 23 and 24 after rejecting a proposed pay rise. Swissport said a minority of union members were acting in a “cynical fashion” to disrupt the public’s travel plans and hold employers to ransom but added: “We remain committed to resolving this matter as soon as possible while protecting the interests of our customers, airline passengers and ultimately our staff.” The two sides are due to meet Tuesday at Acas, the arbitration service, which has been seeking to resolve several other disputes. <br/>