Unite warns of summer strikes at Glasgow airport

Unite the union has warned that about 450 workers are “on course” for summer strike action in unresolved disputes with three companies based at Glasgow airport.

It said the companies still involved in pay and working conditions disputes with the union are Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search and Swissport.

The union said 98.7% of Unite members employed by Glasgow Airport Limited have backed taking industrial action to secure a better pay offer.

About 100 workers employed by the company have recently rejected a basic 4% pay offer. The Glasgow Airport Limited workers include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers.

A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: “We are reviewing the ballot results and remain open to finding a sensible resolution.”

A further 250 ICTS central search workers are in dispute over understaffing, working conditions and pay. The workers deal with passengers directly in the security search area and process them for flights. 

Unite members are currently being balloted on a pay offer on basic pay, shift allowances and overtime rates. 

More than 100 Swissport workers are still in dispute over working rotas and work-life balance, plus health and safety concerns. Workers provide ground handling services to many major airlines, including ticketing and baggage handling. 

A consultative ballot on a new offer made by Swissport to address these outstanding issues has been put to the workforce. The ballot concludes on July 14 and if this offer is rejected, Unite will move to open a full industrial action ballot.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Summer strike action which would ground planes and passengers remains on the cards. These highly profitable companies can easily afford to put the minds of the travelling public at rest by making fair offers to workers.”

A dispute involving 300 Menzies Aviation workers has now been resolved. The union negotiated a deal which establishes a 4% minimum increase for new starters, and up to 10% for workers depending on grades. The Menzies workers include dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers. 

Fifty Falck firefighters who perform fire safety functions at the airport have also accepted a basic wage increase of 4.5% following successful negotiations held by Unite and the company which also brings this pay dispute to a close.

Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said: “Strike action has moved a step closer after our Glasgow Airport Limited members emphatically backed industrial action. We believe the airport’s new management is attempting to put us on a collision course which would bring out hundreds of workers on strike during the peak summer holiday season.

“Meanwhile, Unite has successfully delivered significant pay deals for our members at Menzies Aviation and Falck. These deals build on the recent successes made with other companies at the airport. It clearly demonstrates that pay disputes can be resolved through negotiation and without the need for industrial action if companies are willing to work with Unite.”