UNITE has suspended a planned security staff strike at Aberdeen airport after security firm ICTS tabled a fresh pay offer.

On Friday the union announced plans for 14 days of strike action by members in hold baggage screening due to start on Monday on every second day until August 1 after rejecting bosses’ “unacceptable” pay offer.

Within hours of that announcement however, ICTS rejoined talks with an improved offer which the union will now put to members in a ballot.

Announcing the suspension of strikes as an act of goodwill while that consultation gets under way, Unite industrial officer Paula Buchan said: “This offer should have been made available earlier rather than the last minute.

“Our members have shown determination throughout this dispute and the improved offer has only come about because they have stood firm and refused to back down.”

An ICTS spokesman said: “We’re pleased to confirm that an agreement with our colleagues working within hold baggage screening at Aberdeen airport has been reached. We have been informed that the proposed industrial action will now not take place.”