Leeds Bradford Airport strike action called off after fresh pay offer received
The strikes will not go ahead over the weekend
Strike action at Leeds Bradford Airport has been called off after staff received a fresh pay offer.
Workers including air traffic controllers and hourly paid staff, which includes key airport staff such as passport control workers, check-in staff, security, passenger assistance and cleaners were due to take strike action from tomorrow (Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18).
However, the Unite union has now officially confirmed that these strikes will not go ahead over the weekend to allow workers to be balloted on fresh pay offers.
Air traffic controllers and hourly paid staff are being balloted separately on their respective offers.
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: “After receiving offers from Leeds Bradford Airport, we have suspended this week’s strike action in good faith to allow members to vote on pay deals.”
Staff involved in the dispute have recently come out of a four-year pay deal, and Unite claim the pay in some departments have fallen behind those in equivalent roles at other airports.
The union added that workers at LBA are paid less than those doing the same roles at Newcastle Airport, a city with a lower cost of living. For example, a starter air traffic controller at Leeds Bradford earns around £34,000 while the same role at Newcastle is paid £55,000.
Should these fresh pay deals be rejected, then planned strikes running from October 23 to November 2 will go ahead.
A Leeds Bradford Airport spokesperson said: “We welcome the decision by Unite to withdraw the planned industrial action scheduled for this weekend, providing reassurance for thousands of passengers due to travel through Leeds Bradford Airport over the coming days.
“A revised pay offer remains on the table for our hourly paid colleagues, and we are hopeful this will help support a positive resolution. We remain committed to engaging constructively with employee representatives and working towards an agreement that is fair, sustainable and in the best interests of our colleagues and the airport.
“With all planned strike action now withdrawn for this weekend, Leeds Bradford Airport will operate as normal, with no disruption expected to services.
“We would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding while discussions have been ongoing and look forward to welcoming passengers through the airport as normal.”