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Airport strikes called off

21/08/2008

Baggage handler strikes that were due to cause travel chaos at Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester airports this Bank Holiday Monday have been called off.

Trade unions GMB and Unite said last minute talks with Swissport resulted in a better offer made to its workers and the action has been suspended.

The unions said conciliation service Acas had brokered the deal, with talks lasting for 12 hours.

If the strikes had gone ahead, passengers flying out of the London's Gatwick and Stansted would have had to cope with a 24-hour walk out on Monday and Friday, while Manchester was scheduled for strikes on Wednesday, August 27th, and Monday, September 1st.

However, flights at Stansted could still be delayed as a separate strike by security staff is still set to go ahead on Bank Holiday Monday.

Gary Pearce, of the GMB, said: "As a result of today's talks at Acas between the unions and Swissport we have a new improved offer to put to our members.

"Because of the improved offer all planned industrial action is suspended until we get the reaction of the members.

"This does not affect the industrial action for the scanner workers who are employed by Airport Services."