British Airways has been asked to repackage its latest pay offer by the GMB union in order to avert a strike. The call came ahead of crucial talks between the union and airline over the long-running pay dispute. Union leaders and BA managers are trying to head off a 24-hour walkout by baggage handlers and check-in staff set for Friday 27 August.

The strike date was set by the T&G union after its members voted overwhelmingly for action on Wednesday. Ed Blissett, chief negotiator for the GMB, has commented that he hopes BA will “hone and develop” its deal during the talks.

However, BA director of customer service and operations Mike Street said that there would be “no new offer on the one tabled 36 hours ago” by the airline.

If the talks break down and the planned strike goes ahead, airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh are set to be hit by massive disruption on the first day of the August bank holiday weekend. BA estimates it carries 100,000 passengers a day at that time.

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