Unite union officials called off strike action at six UK airports last night -- including Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen -- after ACAS-brokered talks with BAA executives.,
Unite represents more than 6,000 security staff, engineers and firefighters at the airports. Last week, the workers voted in favour of industrial action in protest at a 1% pay offer.
If the strike had gone ahead, millions of passengers would have been impacted.
Following talks at the ACAS headquarters in London, Unite union's national officer Brian Boyd said: "Unite came to these negotiations with a strong mandate for industrial action.
"In today's negotiations between Unite and BAA, the assistance of ACAS has been constructive and we are pleased to announce we are calling off strike action at BAA's six airports.
"Unite's negotiating committee will recommend a much-improved offer from BAA.
"Details of the agreement will be made public once BAA staff have been advised of the improved offer."
At talks, Unite argued its members accepted a wage freeze last year and co-operated with changes to their pension scheme, and therefore deserved a bigger pay rise than the 1% offered.
Unite said BAA only offered an additional 0.5% initially, subject to changes to the firm's sickness arrangements.
Related links:
- BAA airport workers' strike called off (Guardian)
- Unite members at BAA vote to take strike action (Unite the union)
- British Airways cabin crew dispute: settlement in sight? (The Solicitor)
- Employment law news (The Solicitor)
- Employment law Q&A (Community)
- Employment law (Findlaw.co.uk)
- Find an employment solicitor (Contact Law)
