(Image: Leeds Bradford Airport)
Planned strike action by more than 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport has been suspended to allow fresh negotiations between the airport and union representatives.
Members of Unite, including air traffic controllers and hourly paid staff such as passport control workers and passenger assistance staff, had been due to walk out from Friday, October 23 until November 2 in a dispute over pay.
The union said both groups had overwhelmingly rejected the airport’s latest pay offers.
However, Unite members have agreed to pause industrial action while talks take place with airport management, facilitated by the conciliation service Acas.
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said the union remained committed to securing an improved deal for its members.
He said: “Unite is determined to get the best deal for our members at Leeds Bradford Airport, who are a crucial part of their workplace’s success and deserve fair pay to reflect the demanding work they do.
“We have paused action in good faith to have talks with the airport and Acas in the coming days. However, our members still have a strong mandate for industrial action. Should these negotiations not lead to an improved deal that is acceptable to our members, we will not hesitate to announce strike action which will have a major impact on the airport.”
According to Unite, air traffic controllers are seeking pay parity with colleagues at Newcastle Airport, which is also part-owned by AENA, while many hourly paid workers involved in the dispute earn only slightly above the minimum wage.
A spokesperson for Leeds Bradford Airport welcomed the suspension of industrial action.
They said: “We welcome the decision by Unite to withdraw the planned industrial action scheduled between 23 October and 2 November, providing reassurance for thousands of passengers travelling through Leeds Bradford Airport during the October half-term period.
“A revised pay offer remains on the table for both our air traffic controllers and our hourly paid colleagues, and both Unite and LBA agree that ACAS support will be helpful to progress the discussions.
“With all planned strike action now withdrawn, Leeds Bradford Airport will operate as normal throughout the October half-term period, with no disruption expected to services.”
The airport said it remained focused on reaching a resolution that is “fair, sustainable and in the best interests of our colleagues, customers and the airport”.