Travel disruption could hit Scottish airports this summer as 900 workers begin voting on strike action in a pay dispute. The aviation trade union Unite announced that ballots will open this week at Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.
If successful, strikes could coincide with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (23 July to 2 August) and the World Cup in the United States. Four ballots close on 21 May, while ICTS staff at Aberdeen vote until 28 May.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Hundreds of workers across Scotland’s largest airports are heading towards summer strike action. The companies involved are all highly profitable. They can easily afford to give our members fair and reasonable pay offers but have decided to put boosting profits before people.'
Workers affected include ICTS staff handling security and passenger processing, Edinburgh Airport Limited employees such as ambassadors and engineers, and around 280 ground services crew from Menzies Aviation.
Unite industrial officer Carrie Donoghue warned: 'Any strike action would ground planes and passengers during an expectedly busy period with the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. The blame for this situation arising will lie entirely with these extremely wealthy companies.'
A Glasgow Airport spokesperson said: 'We are aware of ongoing talks between Unite and ICTS and are keen to ensure that this dialogue results in a positive resolution.'
