Refuelling workers at Heathrow airport have called off their planned strike that was due to begin this week after they accepted a new and improved pay and conditions offer from their employer, AFS. 

Unite members at AFS, employed as refuellers had been due to walkout for 72 hours on 4 May, potentially grounding as many as 35 airlines.

However, after negotiations, AFS has agreed to improve the pension and sick leave offered to new workers to bring them closer in line with existing staff. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is another victory for Unite in its campaign for members' pay and conditions and workers at AFS should be congratulated for standing firm against their employer and winning these improved terms." 

Unite regional officer Kevin Hall added: "This is a good win for our members at AFS. They do a dangerous, dirty and skilled job and just wanted decent terms from their employer.

"Their determination is what led to this victory and shows the power of a union." 

Still, another 800 members of Unite who work at Heathrow are planning industrial action on 7 to 13 May as the union says Heathrow Airport has ignored existing consultation procedures and has announced that workers in passenger services (who assist travellers to catch connecting flights), trolley operations, and campus security (the security guards who are responsible for all workers at Heathrow and vehicles being checked before entering Heathrow), will be outsourced.

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