Staff had been due to strike for 24 hours on Thursday (25 July). However, the Unite union confirmed on Monday afternoon (22 July) the action had been suspended.
Members will now vote on an improved pay offer. Unite represents 43 passenger service agents at Stansted employed by Stobart, which operates the check-in contract on behalf of easyJet.
The walkout had been due to be the first of several planned by Unite members at Stansted, with further action scheduled throughout much of August.
Unite regional officer Mark Barter said: “We had positive talks with the company today [Monday 22 July], under the auspices of the conciliation service Acas.
“The outcome was an improved pay offer has been put on the table. This offer will not be revealed until our members have considered and voted on it.
“The ballot result should be known on Thursday morning. To allow this ballot to proceed, we have suspended the 24-hour strike that was due to start at 3.30am on Thursday.”
Barter, though, stressed the action planned for 26-29 July is still due to go ahead, even if members don’t agree to the new pay package. Further strikes are planned for 2-5 August, 9-12 August, 16-19 August and 23-27 August.
However, Unite has confirmed it had signed a recognition agreement with Stobart for collective bargaining purposes, which it said was a “key demand” of members.
An easyJet spokesperson said: “We are pleased the proposed industrial action by Stobart Aviation check-in staff at London Stansted airport on 25 June has been suspended and that a deal is being balloted.”
Graeme Undy, managing director of Stobart Aviation Services, said: “We have worked hard, alongside Unite, to secure the best outcome for our people, our customers and our airline partners.”
