UNITE, Britain's leading union, has reached an agreement to furlough up to 250 workers on full pay alongside a commitment to no redundancies at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA).

The union, which represents directly employed workers in security, car parking, cleaning and passenger assistance, reached the agreement after the workforce challenged the original deal being proposed by management at LBA.

After constructive negotiations, an agreement was reached to modify the government's job retention scheme. Workers will bank 20 per cent of their wages to top up the scheme to 100 per cent of pay. On return to work, the airport staff will work back the banked hours at overtime rates, with a cap of 84 hours.

The deal also commits to no redundancies.

Unite regional officer Karl Stephenson said: "Workers are being furloughed on 100 per cent of their pay and Unite has achieved assurances of no redundancies at Leeds Bradford Airport.

"Unite achieved this deal because the members collectively challenged the original scheme and credit must also go to management for working constructively to reach an agreement with Unite. The deal underlines the importance of trade union membership at this time. Workers are stepping up to the challenge posed by the current health crisis and Unite is securing collective agreements to support workers in these uncertain times."