To the relief of summer holidaymakers preparing for a much welcomed getaway, strikes that could have led to disruption at six UK airports have been called off.
The long running dispute between BAA – British Airports Authority – and workers over pay was leading to planned strike disruption at one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The strikes could have affected thousands of travellers from UK airports, including Heathrow, over the forthcoming bank holiday weekend.
The strike action has now been called off following discussions at the conciliation service ACAS. Trade unions have agreed to recommend to members BAA’s revised offer of an unconditional two per cent increase on pay and allowances; and a guaranteed airport profit bonus for 2010 of a minimum of £500.
The Unite union is now recommending what it is describing as a “much improved” pay offer to its members, who include security staff and fire-fighters working at UK airports.
A BAA spokesperson says:
“We believe this is a fair offer for staff in what remains a difficult economic environment for the aviation industry.
“All parties brought a constructive approach to negotiations and we are sorry for the uncertainty ahead of yesterday’s discussions.
“We now look forward to working with our people to improve the service we provide to passengers and airlines in the weeks and months ahead.”
If the strike had gone ahead, holidaymakers travelling from Heathrow Airport along with Stansted Airport, Southampton Airport, Glasgow Airport, Edinburgh Airport and Aberdeen Airport would have been disrupted at the peak of the summer holiday season.
The BAA offer to Unite members, which the union is recommending, includes the two per cent increase on basic pay and allowances effective from 1 January 2010; plus arrangements for payment of shift pay during periods of sickness to remain unchanged; and for 2010 only, BAA will guarantee payment of at least £500 equal to 90 per cent of BAA’s EBITDA target, based on the performance of each individual airport.
Unite, Britain’s biggest union representing 70,000 aviation workers, is claiming victory in the dispute and says it expects BAA’s pay offer to set the standard for future pay deals in the industry.
Unite officers Brian Boyd and Brendan Gold said in a shared statement:
“This offer is double what BAA had originally offered with no strings attached. Plus it comes with a guaranteed lump sum of £500. The negotiations were tough but Unite has delivered a fair offer for BAA staff.
“The game is up for employers in the aviation industry. With the recession receding in the industry, Unite now expects BAA’s pay offer to set the standard.”
A ballot of union members will take place soon with members expected to accept the pay offer.
Mr Gold added: “We are very pleased to be able to reassure the travelling public that we for our side have worked tirelessly to achieve a settlement.”
