Thousands of passengers travelling through Leeds Bradford Airport over the October half term will face no disruption after planned strikes by more than 130 workers were suspended for fresh pay talks.
October half term holidaymakers will fly without disruption after planned strike action at Leeds Bradford Airport was officially suspended.
Flights and terminal services will operate as normal following the withdrawal of industrial action that was scheduled to take place between Friday the twenty-third of October and the second of November.
More than one hundred and thirty workers, including air traffic controllers, passport control staff, and passenger assistance teams, were due to walk out in a dispute over pay.
The union representing the workers has agreed to pause the strikes to allow for fresh negotiations brokered by the conciliation service Acas, despite members having heavily rejected the airport's latest pay offers.
Air traffic control staff are seeking pay parity with their counterparts at Newcastle Airport. Both airports are part-owned by the company AENA, but workers at the Tyneside base currently earn more than those in Leeds.
Meanwhile, the union claims many of the hourly paid workers involved in the dispute, such as passenger assistance and passport control staff, earn just above the minimum wage and have been struggling to afford everyday essentials.
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker explained the decision to suspend the walkouts.
"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."
A revised pay offer remains on the table for both the air traffic controllers and the hourly paid colleagues.
Airport officials welcomed the decision by the union to withdraw the planned action, stating it provides much-needed reassurance for thousands of passengers travelling during the busy October half term period.
Management confirmed that both the airport and the union agree that support from Acas will be helpful to progress the discussions, with the formal conciliation process anticipated to commence in the coming days.
A spokesperson for Leeds Bradford Airport outlined their commitment to resolving the dispute.
"We remain focused on reaching a resolution that is fair, sustainable and in the best interests of our colleagues, customers and the airport. 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. 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."
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