'Preliminary agreement' reached over air traffic controllers pay talks
HIAL and union Prospect have agreed terms which will be put to members
A long running pay dispute between Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and air traffic controllers could soon be resolved.
Air traffic controllers part of the Prospect trade union have been in dispute with HIAL for over a year, but both parties have now confirmed a 'preliminary agreement' has been reached.
HIAL managing director, Inglis Lyon confirmed talks have 'progressed.'
He said: 'We are pleased to advise that our talks to resolve the current Air Traffic Control dispute have progressed and Prospect will put our revised offer to their membership. Following a further meeting this week to finalise the detail, Prospect will recommend the offer to their members.
'Prospect has confirmed it will lift the work to rule during the period whilst the offer is under consideration, which we welcome. The work to rule will cease at 17.00 today (19 November) and a full service will be available to cover out of hours service provision.'
Trade union Prospect said the agreement will be put to members soon.
A press statement said: 'After further negotiations between Prospect and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited we have reached a preliminary agreement which will form the basis of an offer that will be put to members shortly.
'A number of details need to be concluded so there will be further talks this week, and a ballot will follow shortly.
'As a result Prospect has decided to suspend our work to rule whilst we consult our members. The work to rule will end at 5pm on 19 November.'