MADRID (AP) – Spain's air traffic controllers said they will not stage a threatened strike in August to avoid hurting tourism.

After a four-hour meeting, the controllers' union, USCA, said it would hold off on the stoppage in the hope the government aviation authority, AENA, would resume negotiations that broke down last week.

USCA said its executive committee had taken the unanimous decision ``to end the uncertainty felt by passengers and business people in the tourism sector.''

The dispute centers on a recent decree that increases the hours controllers work and shortens their rest breaks during shifts. But it started last February when the government all but eliminated overtime hours and thus cut pay that was as high as euro350,000 ($460,000) a year.

The union now claims Spain's roughly 2,000 air traffic controllers are overworked and understaffed.

It demands a meeting with Development Minister Jose Blanco, whom they accuse of imposing the changes in a heavy-handed fashion.

The union voted Aug. 3 to stage a strike but refrained from setting a date for it.

USCA has not said how long the strike would last if it is eventually staged.

The call had raised fears of havoc in August, the busiest month for tourism in one of Europe's top vacation destinations.

The International Air Transport Association on Tuesday urged AENA and the controllers to take all measures possible to avoid the strike.