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LOS ANGELES —

Workers who provide "curb to cabin" services for major airlines at Los Angeles International Airport returned to their jobs Friday, one day after they went on strike over issues of wages, benefits and allegedly unfair labor practices.

The return to work is part of a three-week "cooling off" period negotiated by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The agreement, which went into effect at 8 a.m., also calls for union leaders to resume negotiations with contractors.

As a result of the "cooling off" agreement, there are no plans to picket the airport for the next three weeks, said Mike Chavez, a spokesman for Local 1877 of the Service Employees International Union.

Earlier Friday morning, Chavez said in a statement that the strike would be going into a second day Friday and that job action would be expanding, with picketing taking place outside every terminal at LAX.

"In these difficult economic times for the airline industry and for hard-working Angelenos at the airport, we must come together to find a solution that meets the needs of workers and the airline industry," Villaraigosa said.

"I am urging the workers and contractors, with the support of the airlines, to come to a fair agreement that ensures quality services and keeps passengers moving safely and efficiently at the international gateway to Southern California," Villaraigosa said.

Chavez said employees immediately went back to work. The agreement was reached late Thursday night and early Friday morning. There was "intense calling really early this morning," he said.