A pay deal has been reached to prevent strike action by ground staff at Luton airport.
Baggage handlers, check-in staff, passenger service assistants and security staff employed by Menzies Aviation at the airport voted to accept a pay offer worth 8.75%.
The agreement means a typical baggage handlers’ annual pay will increase by around £1,670 by January 2019, according to the Unite union.
Workers will receive an additional £1 an hour for working unsociable hours.
The union and management have also agreed to make improvements to working conditions, which had been a long running concern for the workforce at the airport.
The agreement was struck after a series of talks with Menzies Aviation after workers voted in favour of strike action.
Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge said: “The workforce took a brave stand in order to improve their working conditions and pay.
“By standing together they achieved just that. Not only did they secure a deserved inflation beating pay increase of almost nine per cent, management are now working with the union to make significant improvements to working conditions.
“The workforce will receive a five per cent increase backdated to October 2017 followed by 3.75% or the RPI, whichever is higher, from January 2019.
“Workers will also get an additional £1 per hour for an unsociable hours premium for hours worked from 00.00 am to 4.59am effective May 2019.”
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