Air traffic controllers threaten to strike

Transport: Air traffic controllers vote for industrial action

Airport closure fear,

Lifeline flights at airports across the Highlands and Islands could be grounded over Christmas by a threat of strike action from air traffic controllers over a pay dispute.

The majority of 75 air traffic control staff have voted in favour of taking industrial action in the ongoing row.

Prospect union leaders are seeking a 10% pay rise to bring air traffic controllers (ATCs) in line with the salary of colleagues across the UK.

Management at Highlands and Islands Airports (Hial) said they offered all staff a 2% increase, which was accepted by all apart from the ATC staff.

Talks between the parties will continue on Thursday in a bid to avert a strike in the coming weeks.

Northern politicians fear industrial action would impact lifeline services, particularly in the run-up to the festive season.

Prospect’s negotiations officer David Avery said: “There is an international shortage of air traffic controllers.

“Hial rates of pay have fallen significantly behind the other air traffic providers in the UK and this is now having an impact on operations. Members want Hial to address this issue now before they fall even further behind.”

“Prospect ATC members rejected the pay settlement”

He added that Prospect ATCs voted “near unanimously” that they were prepared to take industrial action.

He explained that a pay offer was rejected earlier in the year as it fails to close the “substantial gap” between Hial and the rest of the air traffic industry.

A Hial spokesman said: “Hial made a pay award offer to all staff which was accepted following an overall ballot of trade union members and paid to everyone at the end of September, backdated to April 1.

“Prospect ATC members were balloted separately and rejected the pay settlement.”

Crunch talks are next scheduled for Thursday.

Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant said: “This is a very concerning development which directly affects lifeline services.

“I would hope that both sides approach this week’s talks with an open mind and do whatever they can to avert strike action and the obvious disruption it will cause to many in our communities, particularly in the run-up to the festive season.”

North Tory MSP Edward Mountain added: “For Highlanders, Christmas is an important part of the year when families travel from afar to reunite. I would urge all parties to make sure there are no flight disruptions over this festive period.”