Nearly 700 airport workers in Edinburgh and Glasgow have voted in favour of strike action during the peak summer holiday season, including the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Unite the union announced on Thursday that strike dates will be set in the coming days, with industrial action expected to coincide with these major events.
Pay Disputes at Scottish Airports
Approximately 370 employees of Edinburgh Airport Limited and around 320 workers employed by ICTS and Menzies Aviation in Glasgow have backed strike action amid ongoing pay disputes. Unite stated that ICTS workers are directly involved in passenger security screening and processing flights.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers across Scotland’s largest airports have overwhelmingly backed summer strike action. This is a direct result of their very profitable employers’ refusal to make a fair pay offer. The workers have no other option and the blame for this situation lies entirely with wealthy companies choosing to boost profits before people.”
Menzies Aviation Responds
A spokesperson from Menzies Aviation expressed disappointment over the union’s decision, stating: “We are disappointed the union has progressed industrial action in an attempt to disrupt flights at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports this summer. We have engaged constructively throughout and put forward a fair and workable offer for all parties that recognises the challenging operating environment caused by the Middle East conflict. Pay at both locations has consistently increased above inflation since the Covid pandemic, and our current proposal again exceeds inflation and aligns with agreements the union has reached with other ground handlers at Edinburgh and Glasgow. We hope an amicable resolution can be reached soon. Should industrial action take place, we have robust and proven contingency plans to minimise any potential disruption to our airline customers and their passengers, ensuring flights can operate as scheduled.”
Edinburgh and Glasgow airports and ICTS have been contacted for comment.
