Summer chaos at Heathrow Airport has been reduced after hundreds of British Airways workers voted to accept a new pay offer. Strike action during the peak summer holiday has now been averted after the pay deal was backed by 75% of workers.

Aviation workers – predominantly low paid women – were set to walk out after a 10% pay cut imposed on them by BA during the pandemic was not reinstated. But bosses had their pre-covid pay rates restored. Workers will now receive an 8% consolidated pay rise, a one-off bonus and the reinstatement of shift pay.

Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: “No one wanted a summer strike at Heathrow, but our members had to fight for what was right.

“This improved pay deal came because of their efforts.

“Now these mainly women workers have won pay improvements for themselves – as well as forcing BA to make this offer to the rest of their staff too.

“Our members stood up for themselves and fought for what they were owed.

“These are frontline workers facing harassment and abuse from customers daily.

“The least they deserved is fair pay.”