UP to 250 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are to be furloughed on full pay after talks between Unite and management.

The union says the deal also includes a commitment to no redundancies at LBA.

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

After 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."

A spokesperson for Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “We are all working together in these unprecedented times for the benefit of staff, businesses and passengers.”