Airport strike off after pay dispute resolved

Strike action involving workers at Leeds Bradford Airport over Christmas has been called off after a dispute over payments was resolved.

Nearly 50 Unite union members employed as ramp agents at the airport were planning to walk out between 19 December and 4 January.

Unite said their employer, Swissport, had refused to pay staff a monthly cold weather payment of £125 that Swissport workers at other airports receive.

Staff would now receive the money "in recognition of the work undertaken", a spokesperson for the union said.

The cold weather payments, also known as de-icing payments, are made to the ground workers for taking up additional duties in winter.

Unite previously warned the strike action could have caused "enormous disruption" to flights at the airport over Christmas.

Chris Muscroft, regional officer at the union, said an agreement was reached after "positive negotiations" with Swissport.

"A payment has been agreed in recognition of the work undertaken and an agreement reached for closer working going forward to avoid a similar situation again," he said.

Swissport has been contacted by comment.

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