BA strike: New hope after talks

Hopes of averting a strike by British Airways baggage handlers and check-in staff over the August Bank Holiday rose tonight after progress was made during talks to end a pay dispute.

Union leaders spent more than eight hours negotiating with airline managers to try to break the deadlock and head off a planned 24-hour walkout next Friday.

The talks will resume tomorrow with both sides expressing optimism that a deal can be clinched.

BA has offered an extra £1,000 to its workers if sickness absence is halved but unions were unhappy that wages were being linked to sick leave.

Further negotiations will be held on this issue but an agreement now seemed close.