The prospect of summer disruption at Manchester airport has been averted after a pay deal was agreed for more than 2,000 workers.
The Unite union disclosed that the agreement is worth up to 17% over two years plus a lump sum worth up to 9.6% for the same period.
The deal was negotiated without the need for a strike ballot.
It covers workers including; firefighters, security, engineering, airfield operations, traffic marshals and car parking.
The union also negotiated a further five years of protection for the workers’ defined benefit pension scheme.
Additional workers on the National Minimum Wage will also benefit. Unite negotiated a 4% increase to the employers’ pension contributions over two years, as well as increases in salary on top of the NMW.
Unite regional officer John O’Neill said: “Unite was able to hammer out an excellent pay deal with Manchester airport this summer.
“The deal has been overwhelmingly backed by the workers and the negotiations took place without the need for an industrial ballot.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s relentless focus on the workplace continues to put more money in workers’ pockets.”
A Manchester airport spokesperson said: “We are pleased to have agreed a pay deal that benefits all our colleagues covered by the collective bargaining agreement at Manchester Airport.
“The pay award is over two years and includes a phased increase to base pay for all colleagues, a cash lump sum and improvements to existing pension arrangements and a further extension of the transitional arrangements for our ex-defined benefit pension scheme members.
“We are proud of our good relationship with our trade unions and this positive result for our colleagues couldn’t have been achieved without the level of trust, understanding and respect we have built over a number of years.
“Our people are at the core of everything we do here at Manchester airport and we’re absolutely committed to energising and inspiring people and continuously improving the colleague experience.”