The Unite union, which represents 43 Stobart Aviation passenger service agents at Stansted operating a check-in contract on behalf of easyJet, said the new pay package amounted to about a 13% pay rise for most of the affected workforce for the 2019/20 financial year.
Unite’s resolution with Stobart will also see the air franchise operator formally recognise Unite as trade union for collective bargaining purposes.
Its planned strike action over 2-5 August, 9-12 August, 16-19 August and 23-27 August has been called off and members were working normally.
Mark Barter, Unite regional officer, said: “The planned strike action has been called off and our members will be working normally assisting passengers in getting away on their summer holidays.
“Our members got a 3% pay rise in April and will now get a further increase, which equates to 10% for the vast majority of our members with immediate effect, so this will mean an increase of 13% this year. Fresh pay talks start again in April 2020, so this is only a single-year deal.
“We have also gained a full recognition agreement covering both front-of-house and backroom staff, which means Unite can represent them for trade union collective bargaining purposes.”
In a statement, Stobart Aviation Services said it was pleased to confirm that, having worked closely with Unite, it had reached a pay agreement with its front-of-house employees based at Stansted airport, adding that as a result, there would be no strike action impacting easyJet operations at the airport.
Graeme Andy, Stobart Aviation Services managing director, said: “We have engaged with Unite throughout the past few months to establish an agreement that benefits our people, Stansted airport and airline passengers planning to fly on holiday this summer.
“This is an important agreement that will mean we can avoid airport disruption for holidaymakers and demonstrates our commitment to engaging, listening and acting in the interests of our people and our customers.”
