Pay dispute between air traffic controllers and HIAL resolved

Prospect union members have voted to accept HIAL's offer

Published 3rd Jan 2020
Last updated 3rd Jan 2020

A long running pay dispute between air traffic controllers and Highlands and Islands Airport Limited has been resolved.

Prospect union members have voted to accept a pay deal after a series of strikes affected six of HIAL's 11 regional airports last year.

The work-to-rule was also suspended in November after Prospect recommended to its members to accept HIAL's offer

HIAL’s Managing Director, Inglis Lyon is 'pleased' the pay dispute has been resolved.

He said: 'There was an overwhelming acceptance of our revised pay offer.

'Acceptance of this offer sees air traffic controllers receiving the 2019/20 pay increase already awarded to other HIAL staff, along with a commitment to a similar award in 2020/21, assuming that Scottish Government’s pay policy remains broadly the same. In addition, they will receive a retention payment for a three-year period.

'This now draws the ATC industrial action to a close and we look forward to working with our air traffic control staff as we strive to maintain and develop sustainable airport services for the future.'

Prospect negotiations office David Avery believes air traffic controllers deserve to be 'properly compensated.'

He said: 'We are pleased that our members have accepted this new deal and that this long-running dispute can now be brought to an end.

'The deal has required compromise on both sides and I would like to thank Scottish Ministers for giving HIAL the authority to reach a deal, and we look forward to working constructively with HIAL in the future.'