Travel chaos ahead as airport workers set to strike over pay
Workers at Prestwick Airport are to down tools during the peak summer holiday season in a row over pay.
Security staff, firefighters, airfield operators, ground crew, ground handling, cargo customer service workers and cleaners are among those due to walk out.
The action will start on Friday, August 5 and will continue over four weeks on every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The airport’s ‘lowest paid’ staff members want to receive ‘at least’ the Scottish Real Living Wage of £9.90 an hour, according to union Unite.
Union members rejected a between 4 per cent and 6.5 per cent pay increase.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members deserve the public’s support in this battle, and we will fully support them in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Prestwick Airport is also a cargo base and hosts significant numbers of military flights and refuels from North America, along with domestic and international commercial flights.
Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer, added: “Unite’s members have
overwhelmingly backed strike action because they are angry and frustrated.
“Talks are set to reconvene with Prestwick Airport management this week (last Thursday) but we are not hopeful based on their arrogant attitude towards the workforce, while they shamelessly protect the pay packets of directors. All our members want is a fair rise and recognition for their flexibility and unsocial hours worked.”
Airport bosses say less than one in
five of their workforce voted in favour of strike action and have slammed the “confrontational approach” of the union.
They also allege that most staff were happy with the pay offer which would have seen pension employer contributions increase by two per cent.
An airport spokesperson said: “We are extremely disappointed that Unite is continuing to pursue its threat of strike action - especially on the basis of just a small number of votes.
“Its confrontational approach jeopardises the fragile recovery of the airport following the pandemic and is denying the majority of our workforce a pay deal which will see 70 per cent of our 300 employees receiving a pay increase of 6.5 per cent or above, improvements to allowances, increased annual leave entitlement, enhanced sick pay provisions and up to two per cent more employer pension contributions.
“Less than one in five (18 per cent) of our workforce voted in favour of strike action. The majority of our workforce have already backed our pay offer, which will also see all qualified staff earn above the real living wage and are keen to see it implemented as soon as possible. Unlike most other airports, we directly appoint our staff, making us one of the biggest employers in Ayrshire. We have strong plans to grow the business and create even more jobs. We urge Unite to reconsider their position, and work with us to realise our ambitions, which will have a positive impact on the local economy at a critical time for the region.”
The airport was taken into public ownership in November 2013 after being purchased by the Scottish Government for £1.