Airport staff to strike in Highlands
Travel across Scotland's Highland and island communities could be disrupted, with airport staff on the brink of strike action.
Members of the Unite union working at Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (Hial) have voted by 73.5 per cent in favour of walkouts in a dispute overpay.thesameballotresulted in 92.8 per cent of workers back taking action short of a strikeastheyfightforimproved wages.
Unite has said it will confirm dates for industrial action at the 11 airports next week. That could result in disruption for travellers at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway,sumburgh,tireeandwick Johno'groatsairportsoverthe busy festive period, with the prospect of fire and rescue staff alongwithsecurityandadministrationworkerstakingpartin any action. The workforce has already rejected the offer of a 5 per cent pay rise. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Airport workers across Highland and island communities simply can't afford to live on their current wages. To then present them with what amounts to a significant pay cut at a time of rocketing living costs leaves them with no other course of action, but to take a stand.
"The Scottish Government and Hial have to act to deliver on pay or face a rural workforce crisis.
"Unite's members working across these 11 airports have emphatically backed industrialactionandtheywillhavetheir union'sfullsupportintheirfight for better jobs, pay and conditions.
"We urgently need Hial and the Scottish Government to get round the table. It's an imperative that the relevant parties work together to save rural communities and retain jobs in
the Highlands and islands.
"With the necessary political will, we believe that our members' pay, terms, and conditions across Hial airports can be improved."
A Hial spokesman said:
"Unite's media statement is unhelpful as it does not explain what industrial action will take place, or the dates it will commence. We recognise the challenges our colleagues face due toinflationarypressures.nonetheless, we are disappointed. The enhanced offer we presented maximised the flexibility within the Scottish Government's pay policy.”