British holidaymakers can breathe a sigh of relief after a series of planned walkouts by security workers at Gatwick Airport have been suspended.
Union Unite, was behind the industrial action, in a dispute over pay with company ICTS. (It was not in dispute with Gatwick Airport).
It represents security workers employed by ICTS, whose roles involve checking passengers’ luggage for explosive materials and other dangerous and prohibited items.
The strikes were due to take place on Saturday 10th August for 48 hours, with 130 members of the union set to walk out.
A four-day walkout was also planned to begin on Tuesday 20th August.
However the union says it has now suspended the planned industrial action after an improved pay offer was made.
It said that ICTS had made a "dramatically improved pay offer" that the union was now going to ballot to its members, with "a recommendation to accept".
Unite regional officer Jamie Major said: "Today’s pay talks were extremely productive and the new pay offer will be balloted on by members.
"The commitment by ICTS to become a real living wage employer is welcome and Unite will be applying pressure to other Gatwick employers to follow suit.
"Following this pay offer it is hoped that there will be more harmonious industrial relations with ICTS moving forward."
The union also claims that as part of the pay talks ICTS (UK) has made a commitment to become a fully accredited real living wage employer, the first company at Gatwick airport to make this breakthrough.
Gatwick Airport had previously said that it did not expect disruptions to flights during the initially planned industrial action.
