Strike action at Prestwick Airport has been averted after union chiefs successfully negotiated a significant pay deal for workers. Unite the Union announced that it had secured substantial improvements to the pay, terms, and conditions of over 400 staff members at the airport.
A ballot on strike action was due to conclude this week amid a dispute over an acceptable pay offer. However, progress in wage negotiations led to a new offer that was overwhelmingly backed by the union membership.
Key Details of the Pay Deal
The enhanced offer will see the vast majority of members receive a pay rise from 5.1% up to 8%, along with an extra day of annual leave for this year. Improvements to shift payments and pension contributions are also included. The pay deal, backdated to April 1, guarantees the real living wage (RLW) of £13.45 per hour for all permanent staff.
Unite represents a wide range of workers at the airport, including security personnel, firefighters, airfield operators, ground crew, ground handling staff, cargo handlers, customer service representatives, and cleaners.
Union Leaders Comment
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: "Unite has delivered another wage win in the aviation industry, this time for our members at Prestwick Airport. The deal backed by our members will see significant increases in pay, allowances, and better working conditions."
Siobhan McCready, Unite Industrial Officer, added: "The Prestwick Airport deal brings us much closer to achieving proper recognition for shift work, unsocial hours, and the incredible flexibility our members show to keep the business growing. Unite will continue to build on the progress made at Prestwick Airport because there is still more work to be done to get our members the best possible working environment, but this deal is a step in the right direction."
Background on Prestwick Airport
Prestwick Airport serves as a cargo base and hosts a significant number of military flights and refuelling stops from North America, along with domestic and international commercial flights.
