Holiday strikes called off at 3 UK airports

Airport workers have called off a series of strikes that would have caused travel misery for thousands of holidaymakers.

The walk-outs were due to affect Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester airports, being timed to coincide with the late summer rush before the end of the school holidays.

But it emerged this morning (August 21) that talks mediated by conciliation service Acas have resulted in Unite and GMB calling off the planned industrial action.

Baggage handlers and cabin crew at the three UK airports had been protesting a pay offer which they said amounted to a fall in real wages due to the high rate of inflation.

Confirming the deal, GMB spokesman Gary Pearce said: "We have a new improved offer to put to our members. Because of the improved offer, all planned industrial action is suspended until we get the reaction of the members."

However, passengers at Stansted Airport are still likely to encounter delays on Bank Holiday Monday due to a separate walk-out by 30 Airport Services security scanners.

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