A strike by 100 Red Handling staff at London Gatwick Airport has been suspended for two more weeks to allow members to vote on new working terms.
Red Handling workers, including baggage handlers, check-in staff and flight dispatchers, were set to walk out for four consecutive Sundays, from 11 May.
Strike action on 11 May was previously suspended following negotiations between Unite and the company.
The action has been postponed after Unite received proof of payment of pension contributions from Red Handling to the provider Royal London.
Red handling has also agreed to cover the loss of interest on any contributions that were not paid, and there will be an independent audit to ensure the situation with missing pensions does not happen again.
The new offer, which members will be voting on, would also mean Red Handling would have to give staff a bonus payment if payday was late. This comes after workers had their wages paid late, leaving them in financial difficulty.
Workers had also complained of overwork and not having rest breaks, and under the new terms there will be guarantees around this, such as giving staff overtime pay.
Regional officer Ben Davis said: “Red Handling has returned to negotiations and made an improved offer, and therefore Unite has suspended strike action to allow members to be balloted on the proposals.”
The remaining strike action day of 1 June is still due to go ahead pending the outcome of the ballot.
A Gatwick spokesperson said: “We are pleased the proposed strike action by Red Handling has been suspended on 18 and 25 May and hope a full resolution can be reached.”
As previously reported, plane refuellers from Redline Oil Services, who work for airlines including easyJet, are also walking out at Gatwick in a separate dispute over pay.
Redline workers are set to walk out in two sets of four-day strikes. Action will start on 16 May, lasting until 20 May 2025. Staff will walk out again on 23 May, at the start of the half-term holiday, until 27 May.
A Gatwick spokesperson said: “We are aware of the proposed industrial action from Red Handling and Redline Oil, and are working closely with both parties, and our airlines, to minimise impacts to passengers. Of course, we hope Red Handling, Redline Oil and their unions can reach a resolution before then.”
