UNITE workers at Prestwick Airport have stood down plans for a strike ballot after securing an inflation-busting pay deal.

Over 400 workers will see pay rises of between 5.1 and 8 per cent backdated to April 1, with all permanent staff now guaranteed at least the Real Living Wage of £13.45 an hour.

Welcoming the deal which also secured an extra day’s annual leave this year, as well as better shift payment and pension contributions at the Scottish government-owned airport, Unite industrial officer Siobhan McCready said: “The Prestwick airport deal brings us much closer to achieving proper recognition for shift work, unsocial hours and the incredible flexibility our members show to keep the business growing.

“Unite will continue to build on the progress made at Prestwick Airport because there is still more work to be done to get our members the best possible working environment, but this deal is a step in the right direction.”