As Labor Day holiday travelers headed out of town Friday, striking baggage handlers, security personnel and janitors at Los Angeles International Airport headed back to work, less than 24 hours after going on strike following months of failed negotiations.

“Thanks to the help of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and many others, (Service Employees International Union Local) 1877 LAX workers and private contractors at LAX have brokered a three-week ‘cooling off’ period,” the L.A. County Federation of Labor said in a emailed statement. Several hundred workers had walked off the job Thursday afternoon.

The agreement to return to the negotiating table was reached early this morning after the mayor came to both parties asking them to cooperate, according to a union spokesperson.

“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 in a statement.

SEIU officials say the workers, who make an average of $10.50 an hour and do not receive benefits, deserve health insurance and at least a 40 to 50 cent increase in their hourly wage.