Leeds Bradford Airport strikes suspended for pay talks

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 19 Oct, 16:29 · Archive

More than 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport have suspended planned strike action to allow fresh pay negotiations to take place. The workers, represented by Unite, include air traffic controllers and hourly paid staff such as passport control and passenger assistance workers. They had been scheduled to walk out from Friday, 23 October until 2 November in a dispute over pay.

Unite said both groups had overwhelmingly rejected the airport's latest pay offers. The union is now engaging in talks with airport management, facilitated by the conciliation service Acas, to seek an improved deal for its members.

According to Unite, air traffic controllers are seeking pay parity with colleagues at Newcastle Airport, which is also part-owned by AENA. Many of the hourly paid workers involved in the dispute earn only slightly above the minimum wage.

Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said the union remained determined to secure the best deal for its members. He stated: '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.'

Whitaker warned that if negotiations do not produce an acceptable outcome, the union would not hesitate to announce strike action, which he said would have a major impact on the airport. A spokesperson for Leeds Bradford Airport welcomed the suspension of industrial action.

How it is being reported

• Leeds Bradford Airport strikes suspended as fresh pay talks beginLeeds Bradford Airport strikes suspended as fresh pay talks beginTelegraph & Argus · 19 Oct, 16:22
• Leeds Bradford Airport strikes suspended as fresh pay talks beginLeeds Bradford Airport strikes suspended as fresh pay talks beginWharfedale Observer · 19 Oct, 16:18
• Leeds Bradford Airport strikes suspended as more than 130 workers enter fresh pay talksPlanned strikes involving more than 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport have been suspended to allow fresh pay negotiations to take place.Yorkshire Post · 19 Oct, 16:09
• Leeds Bradford Airport strike action suspended - but union warns action not ruled outWorkers had been due to walk out for over a weekYorkshire Evening Post · 19 Oct, 15:58
• Leeds Bradford Airport strikes suspended as more than 130 workers enter fresh pay talksPlanned strikes involving more than 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport have been suspended to allow fresh pay negotiations to take place.Yorkshire Post · 19 Oct, 15:36

In this story: Leeds Bradford Airport · Unite · Acas · Neil Whitaker · Newcastle Airport · AENA

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