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Edinburgh Airport tanker staff call off strike

Getty Images A general view of Edinburgh Airport. The name of the building is in white on a grey background. It is an overcast day. Getty Images
North Air said a planned strike had been called off

Fuel tanker drivers at Edinburgh Airport have called off a strike over the festive period after agreeing a new pay deal.

The Unite union said its members had "overwhelmingly" backed a new offer tabled by North Air on Friday.

Workers had previously said they would walk out for 19 days over Christmas and New Year after rejecting a 4.5% pay increase.

The union had warned the strike could have caused disruption to some domestic and long-haul flights.

North Air, which employs 57 staff at the airport, is the sole fuel supply firm servicing some routes.

Unite had accused the firm of failing to make an improved offer to combat years of below inflation pay rises.

But a ballot among members over the weekend voted to approve Friday's offer.

It will see the initially 4.5% rise backdated to August and increases to the shift allowance and Saturday overtime rate.

The company's bonus scheme has also been improved as part of the deal, Unite said.

Industrial officer Carrie Binnie said: "Unite's membership at North Air overwhelmingly backed the improved pay offer.

"We are pleased to have secured a negotiated pay deal which reflects the hard work and skills of our membership at Edinburgh Airport.

"The pay deal means that the scheduled strike over the festive season is off and the dispute is over."

An Edinburgh Airport spokesman said: "We're pleased that Unite and North Air have reached an agreement."