British Airways ground staff based at Heathrow have voted to accept the latest contract offer from the airline, concluding negotiations begun in 2009.

The dispute had centred on working conditions and employment levels at the airport, with staff represented by the GMB and Unite unions.

Under the terms of the deal – which covers staff based at Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5 – overall employment levels will fall by 500.

New arrangements for breaks, arrangements on flexibility, and agreements on ongoing procedures to deal with further changes have all also been agreed.

GMB national officer for civil aviation, Mick Rix, said: “This vote is a ringing endorsement of all the hard work done by GMB workplace representatives at BA over 12 months to achieve a negotiated settlement to secure a future for the airline.

“GMB members hope that the future for BA will be bright and that when growth resumes that the prosperity can be shared between our members and the company.”

Pay Freeze

With losses mounting at the airline, British Airways has secured a one year pay freeze from October 2010.

British Airways chief executive, Willie Walsh, said: “This is another important step towards securing permanent structural change and the long term future of the company.

“It also underlines our commitment to working with all of our trade unions, including Unite.”

Unite will continue to represent cabin crew in a separate dispute over changes to contracts at the British flag-carrier.

The deal covers 2,850 staff and seeks to boost flexibility in working arrangements.