Airports dispute ends as pay offer accepted

AIR traffic controllers have accepted a pay offer from Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial), ending a long-running dispute.

The Prospect union and Hial negotiated an offer in November to be put to members for a ballot, which ended yesterday.

The union said the deal had been accepted by a large margin.

The offer covers the period from April 2018 to April 2021 and is worth at least 9 per cent over the three years, with an additional £9,000 over the period of the deal for a fully qualified controller.

David Avery, Prospect negotiations officer, said: “We are pleased our members have accepted this new deal and that this long-running dispute can now be brought to an end.

“Air traffic controllers provide a vital service for the Highlands and islands and deserve to have their work and skills properly compensated, and we are pleased this deal represents real progress.

“The deal has required compromise on both sides and I would like to thank Scottish ministers for giving Hial the authority to reach a deal, and we look forward to working constructively with Hial in the future.”

Hial managing director Inglis Lyon said: “I’m pleased to advise that the air traffic controller pay dispute has now been resolved.

“This now draws the air traffic controller industrial action to a close and we look forward to working with our air traffic control staff as we strive to maintain and develop sustainable airport services for the future.”

The row saw members of the Prospect union work-to-rule and stage a series of strikes that affected six of Hial’s 11 regional airports.