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 | | Wednesday, 5 September, 2001, 18:47 GMT 19:47 UK Strike averted in airport dispute  Passengers at the airport will not now face delays Workers at Newcastle International Airport have voted to accept an improved pay offer, averting the threat of strikes. Check-in staff and baggage handlers employed by Groundstar, which provides services at the airport, had threatened industrial action over wages. In a ballot on Wednesday 158 workers voted by three-to-one to take up a deal which includes better basic pay and other allowances. The first of a series of proposed 24-hour stoppages had been due to take place on 8 September. 'Improved offer' There were fear passengers could face delays to their flights if strikes went ahead.
An agreement was thrashed out after weeks of talks between Groundstar, the Transport and General Workers' Union(TGWU), and arbitration service Acas. Joe Keith, regional organiser for the TGWU, said: "I am pleased to say the efforts of our negotiating team have paid off, and an improved offer has been accepted. "This was never about hurting the public, it was about getting a fair deal for our members which they felt was worth accepting." He said the new package included increases in basic pay, shift allowance, attendance allowance, and pension. The TGWU said 94% of members who work for Groundstar at the airport had voted for strike action over the original pay offer. Staff were unhappy with their pay compared to those at other bases. | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top UK stories now:  Links to more UK stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||||||||||||
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