Strike action planned for airports in the Highlands and Islands on Monday 30 July has been suspended by trades union Unite.

Following talks last week, the union has advised Highlands and Islands Airports Limited that it has today suspended the industrial action to allow further talks to take place. Unite, which represents airport fire fighter, leading fire fighter and engineer grades at HIAL said its members would work as normal on 30 July.

The union had previously advised HIAL that its members would strike for 24 hours on Monday 30 July and every subsequent Monday following a ballot on the company’s 2% pay offer for 2006/07.

Inglis Lyon, managing director of HIAL said: “We have maintained a constructive dialogue with the union. Unite has talked further with its members and it has now advised that industrial action planned to start next Monday is suspended so that further talks can take place.

“Disruption to air services in the region was in no-one’s interest and we are pleased to have been able to work with our staff and the union to avoid it. We will be advising the airlines that it will be business as usual on Monday 30 July.”