STRIKE plans at Gatwick airport have been averted as British Airways (BA) food drivers won a “groundbreaking” pay deal today.

The action was scheduled for this week but was called off after an 18 per cent pay package was secured by Unite for drivers employed by Alpha Flight, the in-flight food supplier for BA.

An initial 6 per cent increase was rejected in a consultative ballot by union members. Drivers were previously receiving £10.64 an hour which has now increased to £12.70.

Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers at the airport do not receive the market rate for their work and the pay deal is the first time that a company has taken the underpayment issue seriously, Unite said.

Unite regional officer Jamie Major said: “By introducing a market rate for drivers Alpha Flight has now established itself as the market leader for HGV driver pay on the Gatwick campus.

“Unite will now be working to ensure that other employers at Gatwick also boost drivers’ pay and introduce a market rate.”