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Heathrow strike off as airport workers win ‘substantial’ pay rise

Strike action due to begin on Friday (February 11) at Heathrow has been called off after a group of workers at the airport received a “substantial” pay offer.

The union Unite said the dispute involved 400 workers employed by Menzies Aviation, who undertake ground handling and refuelling work at the airport.

The action would have caused delays for passengers flying with British Airways and other airlines at Heathrow at the start of the half-term holiday period.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent result for our members at Menzies Aviation who have overturned two years of pay freezes to secure significant increases.”

The union said the workers voted for strike action because of “Menzies’ refusal to even enter into negotiations for outstanding pay increases in 2020 and 2021”.

Following the announcement of the strike action, talks were held with the company and workers accepted the pay offers that were made.

Ground handlers will receive a 7% increase backdated to January 1, 2022, and a further pay review in line with the anniversary date of May 2022.

Joint Venture refuelling workers will receive a lump sum of £3,000 and a 6% increase in basic pay backdated to January 1, 2022.

BA refuelling workers will have a one-off payment of £3,000, with a commitment that the 2022 pay review will take place closer to the October anniversary date.

Picture by Stuart Monk/Shutterstock.com

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