Unite the Union has announced that its members employed as baggage handlers at Heathrow have agreed a deal with the airport that will see industrial action averted.
The multi-year deal followed eight months of negotiations between Babcock Airports Ltd and their employees, through the conciliation service Acas, and will see a three per cent pay increase in 2019 and 2020.
“Unite’s reps at Babcock did a fantastic job in negotiating the best deal possible for our members,” said Unite regional officer Lindsey Olliver.
“It is important to thank Acas for its assistance in getting this deal agreed. Without Acas’ assistance, it is likely that there would not have been an agreement and our members would have had no option to be balloted for industrial action, potentially causing serious disruption at Heathrow.
“Following this agreement on pay and the further agreement to consider workers’ conditions it is hoped that we can develop a strong working relationship in the future.”
The agreements covered pay conditions for hundreds of workers at the airport, including mechanical and electrical technicians and baggage operational staff.
Babcock also agreed to review workers’ conditions annually, setting out a commitment that the terms would not be reduced and that all existing workers would benefit.
