Striking Australian customs officers reach pay deal

SYDNEY (AFP) - Striking Australian customs officers reached a pay deal with management on Thursday, putting an end to work stoppages at international airports that had threatened to wreak havoc for travellers.

The deal came after customs workers launched a 24-hour strike just after midnight on Wednesday, prompting authorities to warn passengers to turn up early for flights out of Australia and to expect possible delays.

Ms Nadine Flood, secretary of the union that represents customs workers, said her union had accepted a revised pay offer of 11 per cent over three years - two per cent more than a previous offer that triggered strikes.

'We are pleased to see key issues will be addressed, and I'm hopeful to take this offer out to our members,' the Commonwealth Public Sector Union's (CPSU) Flood told reporters in Sydney.