An 11th hour deal forged between Unite and airline catering distributor dnata has prevented major strike action by delivery drivers, which had threatened to bring serious delays to airline food deliveries to airports across the UK, during the busy Christmas season.
The dispute centred around the union’s claim that dnata was planning to change its delivery drivers’ terms and conditions without consultation.
Unite said dnata was refusing to consult on proposals that could detrimentally impact how rostering, variable working, annualised hours, seasonal working, absence management and annual leave allocations are carried out.
Dnata, which provides food for airlines across the UK, including at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow, Bristol and Manchester, denied the allegations.
As the dispute rumbled on, last month Unite began balloting over 700 Unite members who work for dnata, for industrial action.
However, in a statement issued today, Unite has revealed that following “extensive negotiations” it has secured a deal with dnata to avert the planned airline catering strikes.
The union said: “As a result of the negotiations and once the company understood the strength of the workers feelings, it was agreed to close down the working groups it had unilaterally formed during the dispute. Dnata has now agreed to work in full consultation with Unite about any potential changes.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “Congratulations to our members who were prepared to stand up and be counted and were not prepared to have their conditions downgraded.
“Unite’s commitment to defending its members jobs, pay and conditions is total.”
Unite national officer for civil aviation Balvinder Bir said: “Our members have drawn a clear line in the sand and made it clear to dnata that they will never accept unilateral attacks on their conditions.
“Unite will now be entering into detailed negotiations with the company to ensure that dnata’s workers are fairly treated going forward.”
The company has operator licences in three traffic areas, with the most authorisation in London and the South East, which allows for 104 HGVs.
Had strike action gone ahead, airlines including EasyJet, Ryanair, TUI, BA, Emirates, America Airlines and Air India would have been affected.
A request for comment from dnata has yet to receive a response.
