North airport workers could hit festive travel plans with strike action
Highlands & Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) have said the news will cause "unnecessary anxiety" for people over the Christmas period
Last updated 2nd Dec 2022
Highlands & Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) say the threat of impending strike action will cause "unnecessary anxiety" over the festive period.
Members of Unite have voted by 73.5% in favour of walkouts in their dispute over pay, with the union set to confirm dates of action at the 11 airports next week.
That could result in disruption for travellers at the likes Inverness, Dundee, Wick John O'Groats, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh and Tiree airports. Among those set to take part in the action are fire and rescue staff along with security and admin workers.
The workforce has already rejected the offer of a 5% pay rise and Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Airport workers across Highland and island communities simply can't afford to live on their current wages.
"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 industrial action and they will have their union's full support in their fight 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"
An HIAL spokesperson said: "Unite's media statement is unhelpful as it does not explain what industrial action will take place, or the dates it will commence. This makes it difficult for airlines and their customers to plan, creating unnecessary anxiety for passengers and communities over the festive period.
"We recognise the challenges our colleagues face due to inflationary pressures and the cost-of-living crisis. Nonetheless, we are disappointed that they have voted for industrial action. The enhanced offer we presented maximised the flexibility within the Scottish Government's pay policy.
"HIAL will do all it can to minimise any disruption caused by industrial action over the festive period and we urge Unite to continue to engage in constructive dialogue and work with us to find a resolution."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We absolutely respect the democratic right of union members to take industrial action - though it is disappointing that passengers face the prospect of disruption ahead of the festive period.
"We encourage HIAL and Unite to continue to engage in positive dialogue in order to resolve this dispute."