GMB and Unite unions are to recommend British Airways ground staff at Heathrow accept a deal with the airline over staffing and working arrangements.
Acceptance of the deal would conclude negotiations started in January last year.
GMB said: “Agreement was reached yesterday with BA for 3,000 staff employed in the terminals at Heathrow Passenger Services. The deal at this stage is ‘agreed in principle’ and will now being subject to a full members consultation exercise.”
A joint union workplace ballot will open on August 16 and close on September 13.
GMB added: “This agreement, if accepted by members, will conclude negotiations on this issue which began in January 2009.
“The main features of the new deal are agreements on new employment and staffing levels, new arrangements for meal and other breaks, new arrangements on flexibility, agreements on ongoing procedures to deal with further changes that may become necessary over the coming period.
“Overall employment levels will fall by 500 (some 200 have already left), all by voluntary means and with reasonably enhanced severance arrangements and with provisions for redeployment.
“The deal also included a one year pay freeze to October 2010.”
by Debbie Ward
