Strike action at Glasgow Airport during the summer holidays has been averted after new pay deals were reached. Unite the Union announced that nearly 400 workers employed by ICTS and Menzies Aviation have backed new pay offers, removing the threat of disruption during the busy summer period.
Details of the Pay Deals
Unite said around 230 ICTS workers at Glasgow Airport, who handle passengers in security search areas and process them for flights, have accepted a two-year pay deal. This year's agreement includes a 5% increase in basic pay and shift allowances backdated to January 1, along with a one-off bank holiday. Next year, they will receive the RPI inflation rate plus 1% in basic and shift pay, with improved terms and conditions from January 1.
Meanwhile, approximately 160 ground services crew employed by Menzies Aviation at Glasgow will receive a 4.4% increase backdated to January, followed by a minimum pay increase of 5% from July 1, rising to 11.1% for some workers. This one-year deal covers dispatchers, controllers, allocators, and airside agents.
Broader Context
Earlier this year, Unite members at Glasgow Airport had backed strike action that could have coincided with the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, held in the city from July 23 to August 2. Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer, stated: "Unite is pleased to have delivered two pay deals covering Menzies Aviation and ICTS workers based at Glasgow airport. The resolution of these disputes removes the threat of strike action at Glasgow Airport and ensures that no disruption happens during the extremely busy summer period."
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: "Hundreds of frontline workers at Glasgow airport have secured vastly improved pay deals."
Situation at Other Airports
In Aberdeen, Unite secured deals for ICTS central search and Aberdeen Airport Limited workers after the threat of strike action. However, an industrial action ballot involving ICTS HBS security staff at Aberdeen Airport remains open and will close on June 17.
At Edinburgh Airport, around 370 workers employed by Edinburgh Airport Limited backed strike action last month over a pay dispute. Edinburgh Airport said the situation was resolved at Acas a couple of weeks ago, and the pay deal was ratified last week, averting strike action. Unite has been approached for comment.
