THOUSANDS of Gatwick workers have secured an average 8.3 per cent pay rise, Unite announced today.

More than 4,600 staff at 11 different companies received improved pay in recent weeks.

Some 400 Wilson James passenger assistance workers were set to strike before voting to accept a 10.5 per cent offer.

About 170 ICTS baggage screening workers who had also voted for strike action accepted an 11 per cent deal.

Nearly 2,000 workers directly employed by Gatwick won an 8 per cent rise plus a £900 one off payment and 1,100 DHL EasyJet workers accepted 9.8 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said that the phenomenal results are reversing the trend of jobs at Gatwick being underpaid and undervalued, saying Unite reps and airport members’ “hard work and solidarity was essential to achieving these pay deals.”

The other companies Unite secured pay deals were Menzies, ASC, North Air, ABM Airside, Red Handling and Gate Gourmet.