Fans planning to attend major sporting events this summer, including the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, could face significant travel disruption as workers at Glasgow Airport consider strike action over a pay dispute. Aviation trade union Unite has warned that industrial action could cause severe delays during the peak holiday period, coinciding with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August and the World Cup.
Ballot for Strike Action
Unite announced that its ICTS central search members at Glasgow Airport are being balloted for strike action after rejecting what the union described as an 'unacceptable' pay offer from the company. The ballot opened on 1 May and is set to close on 21 May. If successful, industrial action could commence during the busy summer months, potentially affecting thousands of travellers.
Union's Stance
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, stated: 'Unite has warned ICTS that our members at Glasgow airport deserve a better pay offer than what is currently on the table. ICTS is a highly profitable company that can fully afford to make a decent pay offer. The company’s cavalier attitude and failure to make a fair pay offer has created this dispute. Unite will back our ICTS members every step of the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.'
Around 170 ICTS workers have 'emphatically' rejected the proposed pay deal. These employees play a critical role in airport operations, handling passenger security searches, processing travellers for flights, controlling access points, conducting mobile patrols, and screening all deliveries.
Potential Impact
Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer, added: 'Unite has made it clear that there should be a far better pay offer which reflects the critical role our members perform at Glasgow airport. The reality is that the airport simply can’t operate without them. It is ICTS that is putting the travelling public at risk during an expected very busy summer due to the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.'
ICTS has been approached for comment but has not yet responded. The company is expected to face mounting pressure to resolve the dispute and avoid widespread travel chaos.
