A STAFF strike at Stansted Airport has been narrowly avoided after owners BAA put a new play deal on the table.

Negotiations between the company, which also owns five other airports including Heathrow, and the Unite union representing workers had taken place throughout Monday.

And after nine hours of tough-talking a new deal was agreed “as a basis for settlement”.

It means that firefighters, security officers, and support staff will not stage a walkout across all BAA airports just as summer reaches its peak.

The news will not only be welcomed by holidaymakers, but also by BAA, as the six airports would have faced complete closure.

In a statement a BAA spokesman said: “We are pleased that the basis of an agreement has been reached on pay, that is fair to staff, but which also reflects the difficult economic climate.

“Our priority is to work with our people to improve the service we provide passengers and airlines, and we look forward to doing that in the busy weeks ahead.”

A 6000-strong ballot was carried out earlier this month and 74 per cent of staff that voted chose to strike because their pay increase was deemed “paltry”.

It is now believed a “much improved offer” has been tabled and staff will be urged to take it – ending any chance of strikes over the August bank holiday period and beyond.

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