A summer of holiday hell at Scotland's busiest airport has been averted after workers accepted a new pay deal.
Staff at Edinburgh Airport had threatened to walk-out after bosses initially offered a below-inflation wage increase.
But Unite the union said today that 96 per cent of staff had now agreed a revised offer of a !2 per cent increase on basis salary and shift pay, along with a one-off cash payment of £1,000.
The union had warned that passengers could face a summer of travel chaos after members last month backed strike action in the dispute over pay.
The workers involved deal with passengers directly in airport security, terminal operations, search areas and processing people for flights, while those set to receive the pay increase also screen all deliveries and deal with airside support services.
The deal means passengers should
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite just keeps on delivering for our members across Scottish airports. This is another great deal for our members, this time at Edinburgh Airport.
"The message is clear to all airport workers, if you want better jobs, pay, and conditions then join Unite.”
Carrie Binnie, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite always wanted to resolve this dispute at Edinburgh Airport through negotiations but our members were prepared to take strike action in order to secure a better wage increase.
"A 12 per cent rise along with a £1,000 cash payment really is an excellent result, which will benefit hundreds of workers at the airport.”
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We are pleased that our significant offer has been accepted by unions.
“This is a substantial pay rise and we want to get payments to our team as quickly as possible.
“They make an essential contribution to the airport and we know this has been a concerning time for them, so we are glad to reach a conclusion that benefits them as well as our passengers who are looking forward to their hard-earned holidays.”
It comes after security workers at Heathrow airport have called off the first two days of strike action after receiving an improved pay offer.
More than 2,000 staff said they will postpone industrial action on 24 and 25 June.
The airport, the UK's busiest, could still see a wave of strikes take place throughout July and August if Unite members do not vote in favour of the new deal.
Unite said it had called off the initial two days of strikes as a "gesture of goodwill" after "extensive talks" between workers and management.
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