THERE was fresh hope that a strike which could disrupt thousands of holidays might be averted last night.

Newcastle Airport ground staff bosses came up with a revised pay offer after lengthy negotiations with the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU).

Holidaymakers planning to travel on Saturday, September 1, can breath a sigh of relief after the union agreed to suspend a planned one-day strike.

The 148 baggage handlers and counter staff employed by Groundstar will be balloted on the new offer in the next few days.

The revised pay deal was described as a significant improvement on the original 2.2 per cent offer. The TGWU will recommend members accept the deal.

A joint statement released last night by managing director for Groundstar, Tim Brown, and regional industrial organiser for the TGWU, Joe Keith, said: "After lengthy but productive discussions with the assistance of conciliation service ACAS a revised offer was agreed.

"This offer will be taken to a meeting of TGWU members and a secret ballot will be undertaken on the new deal.

"The deal is a significant improvement and the TGWU is able to strongly recommend it for acceptance to its members. Acceptance would end any threat of industrial action."

The discussions were held after more than 94 per cent of the workers voted to reject the original offer on Tuesday.

Ground staff want a pay increase of more than five per cent. They say other workers who do similar work for a rival company at Newcastle Airport receive better pay.

One worker, who asked not to be named, said he voted against the original offer and would await details before deciding on the new one. He said: "We don't want to strike, but we want a fair pay deal."

A spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents said: "Nine out of ten threatened strikes in the summer are usually resolved before anyone's holiday is disrupted."

Officials at Newcastle Airport declined to comment