A planned 24-hour strike by check-in staff due on Thursday (25 July) at London Stansted Airport that would have affected thousands of easyJet passengers has been suspended, while staff vote on an improved pay offer.
The trade union Unite, said yesterday (22 July) it held positive talks with Stobart Aviation Services Limited, which has the easyJet contract at the Essex airport. Unite represents 43 passenger service agents employed by Stobart.
Unite regional officer, Mark Barter said: “We had positive talks with the company today, under the auspices of the conciliation service Acas, and the outcome was that an improved pay offer has been put on the table.
“This offer will not be revealed until our members have considered and voted on it. The ballot result should be known on Thursday morning.
“To allow this ballot to proceed, we have suspended the 24 hour strike that was due to start at 03.30 on Thursday. However, the strikes on Friday (26 July), Saturday and Sunday and due to end at 03.29 on Monday (29 July) are still scheduled to go ahead, if our members don’t agree the new pay package.
“We are also pleased to announce that the company has now signed a recognition agreement with Unite for trade union collective bargaining purposes, which was a key demand of our members.”
Unite said that there are also strikes planned for 2 to 5 August; 9 to 12 August; 16 to 19 August; and 23 to 27 August.
