The planned industrial action at Glasgow Prestwick Airport has been postponed after the Unite union agreed to put an improved pay offer to its members.
A re-ballot will now be undertaken, after the airport found some budget to meet wage demands.
A spokesperson for Glasgow Prestwick Airport said: “As a result of additional grant funding identified by Unite, which enables us to free up some of our allocated training budget, we have been able to top up our offer to ensure all employees earning £30,000 or less will receive at least a 6.5% salary increase.
“This is a positive step forward at what has been a difficult time for our staff and brings us closer to achieving a resolution that will enable our 300-plus employees to receive the pay offer, which also includes the real living wage for all employees, up to 2% more employer pension contributions, improvements to allowances, increased annual leave entitlement, enhanced sick pay provisions and a one off payment of £250 to help with the growing cost of living.”
Late last month, Unite confirmed that by 78% - on an 84% turnout - its members supported a strike, which was due to begin on 5 August, but was delayed until 12 August while the union awaited an improved pay offer.
The dispute centres on the refusal of Prestwick’s management to pay shift allowances and meet the Real Living Wage (£9.90) rate for new starters.
Unite represents more than 80 workers, including airport security, firefighters, airfield operators, ground crew, ground handling, cargo, customer services and cleaners.
The union pointed out that with Retail Prices Index rate of inflation standing at 11.7%, the previous offer for the workforce to receive between 4% and 6.5% represented a real terms pay cut.
One of the other main improvements they were looking for was an increased rate of shift allowance for workers.
The specific rate of shift allowance is not yet known, as airport management only said there are ‘improvements to allowances’ in the latest offer.
A spokeswoman from Unite stated: “Unite has postponed strike action to allow us to re-ballot our members on an improved pay offer - the ballot opens tomorrow Thursday 11 August and will close on Wednesday 17 August.”
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
