Airport strike off

A two-day strike by workers at the airport ground handling company dnata over a ‘divisive’ pay deal has been suspended, after the company made an improved offer, Unite announced today (Monday December 22).

Over 460 Unite members working at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airports had been due to start a two-day strike tomorrow (Tuesday December 23). Instead they will be balloted on the revised pay proposals over the coming weeks following a breakthrough in talks at Acas.

Unite members at dnata include check-in staff, aircraft push back drivers, loaders and HGV drivers. dnata is one of Heathrow’s biggest cargo handlers and one of the biggest ground handlers across Heathrow, Manchester and Gatwick airports.

Unite regional officer Kevin Hall said, “Unite is pleased to confirm that strike action has been suspended following a revised offer which better reflects the contribution our members make to the company.

“All of this could have been avoided if the company hadn’t refused requests to negotiate and go to Acas a number of weeks ago. We will now be putting the details of the revised pay offer to our members over the coming weeks.”