Gatwick Airport strikes in July and August called off
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The ground handler strikes scheduled for this weekend and early August at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) have been called off.
As confirmed by Unite the Union, the upcoming industrial action has now been canceled after its members accepted an increased pay offer by ground handling companies ASC Cargo Handling and Menzies Aviation. Its members accepted a "double-digit" pay raise following successful negotiations, according to the union.
Earlier this week, strikes by Gatwick DHL workers were also called off after workers voted to accept a 15% pay deal.
Related: Here's when European airports and trains are set to strike this summer
"These excellent results were achieved because Menzies and ASC workers at Gatwick are unionized and stood strong," Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said in a statement.
About 1,000 staff members at the busy United Kingdom hub were set to stage walkouts from July 28 to Aug. 1 and then again from Aug. 4 to 8. The strikes would have occurred during the beginning of a school break in the U.K.
Related: Airport meltdowns: Tips if you're headed to Europe this summer
The threat of strike action at the airport is yet to be completely averted. Currently, staff at Gatwick Ground Services, which handles British Airways and Vueling flights, are still voting on an improved pay offer from the company. At present, the union members intend to strike from Aug. 4 to 8, though the signs are promising that the walkouts will be canceled.
Gatwick bosses will welcome the news after the airport was rocked earlier this month by EasyJet preemptively canceling 1,700 summer flights due to air traffic control delays.
This is a step forward, and it looks likely that more strikes will also be averted — welcome news for travelers flying in and out of the London hub.
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