Airport strike suspended

The industrial action lasted for four hours

Security staff at Belfast International Airport have suspended any further stoppages until next Tuesday.

On Wednesday morning they went on strike for four hours over pay and conditions.

However, the action was suspended after the company which employs the workers announced it was keen to start negotiations.

The strike action was suspended at 0800 BST.

A meeting between representatives of security staff and the security company which employs them, ICTS, will take place at the Labour Relations Agency in Belfast on Thursday morning.

Robin Long: "Plans put in place"

Union representative Gordon McNeill said the prospect of negotiations was a hopeful development.

"Members of staff are keen that negotiations should begin," he said.

"If the negotiations become unfruitful, then we will re-engage in the strike action.

"We would not have to give them (management) any advance notice because we have already informed them of the dates."

The series of stoppages is scheduled to last for a week.

The workers, who are employed by a firm sub-contracted to provide security at the airport, said they had no option but to take action.

Airport management said a number of contingency plans meant the public should not be inconvenienced.

Gordon McNeill: "Pay rate for security staff unacceptable"

Passengers have been asked to turn up half an hour earlier to minimise any delays.

The union has said the pay rate for security staff at the airport "was unacceptable".

Director of security Robin Long said plans had been put in place in order to ensure passengers got through.

"The industrial action has been suspended this morning, at any rate. It ceased at 8 o'clock," he said.

He said he was hopeful negotiations would resolve the issue.