Stansted strike called off

A second planned strike by workers who operate luggage scanners at England's Stansted Airport was called off today following an offer of fresh talks aimed at resolving a row over pay.

Members of the GMB union at Stansted walked out on Monday - a bank holiday in the UK - and were due to stop work for 24 hours again tomorrow after rejecting a 1.5% pay offer.

The union said employer Airfield Services had called for talks and indicated that an improved pay offer will be tabled.

GMB official Gary Pearce said: “We have suspended the strike because we have been offered fresh talks and we have been told that an improved offer will be made.”

The union accused employers of breaching safety procedures by bringing in caterers to operate the luggage scanners during Monday’s strike.