Summer strike threat partially lifted at Aberdeen Airport

The threat of a summer strike at Aberdeen International Airport has been partially lifted after two groups of workers accepted a new pay deal.

But a third group remains in dispute with their employer.

The Unite union confirmed that two groups of airport staff have secured enhanced pay deals after the threat of strike action. 

About 70 employed by the airport secured a 4.2% pay rise in a one-year deal after supporting strike action in an industrial action ballot. 

They include administrative staff, airfield operators, technicians, firefighters and crew commanders.  

Another pay dispute involving around 70 workers employed by ICTS at the Scottish airport has also been resolved after workers voted to back an improved offer. 

ICTS central search workers who deal with passengers directly in the security search areas and process them for flights backed a two-year pay deal. 

A five per cent increase in basic pay and shift allowances backdated to January 1 with a one-off bank holiday are included in this year’s deal. 

They will receive the RPI inflation rate plus one per cent in basic and shift pay alongside a boost to terms and conditions from January 1, 2027. 

An industrial action ballot involving ICTS HBS security staff at remains open and will close on June 17. 

No new pay offer has been put to the security staff since they rejected an “unacceptable” pay offer, according to Unite. 

The union’s industrial officer Paula Buchan said: “Unite has positively resolved pay disputes with the owners of Aberdeen airport and ICTS central search.

“The pay deals provide extra income security for our members, and we are pleased these disputes are over.” 

However, she added: “There remains one dispute involving hold baggage security staff employed by ICTS. The threat of disruption to Aberdeen airport is still real unless an improved offer is tabled."