Strikes at Scottish airports suspended as unions consider pay offer
Action which was due to affect airports including Inverness and Dundee on Monday has been called off
Last updated 10th Mar 2023
Planned strikes affecting airports including Inverness and Dundee have been suspended as union members consider a new pay offer.
Fire and security staff at Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) previously rejected an offer of a 5% rise.
The Prospect Union say a "significantly better" offer of 7% has been issued to their members.
HIAL say the offer was "positively received," with strikes planned for March 13th and 17th now suspended.
Ongoing strike action has resulted in flight disruption across the country since December.
Inglis Lyon, Managing Director confirmed the PCS and Unite union have also been given an "enhanced pay offer"
He said: “The new business case presented to Transport Scotland at the beginning of the week was approved and allowed us to make an improved pay offer.
“The trade unions welcomed this offer and have confirmed that they will now ballot their members on acceptance.
“We look forward to the outcome of the ballot and are hopeful for a positive result to resolve the current industrial dispute.
“We apologise for the disruption this industrial action has caused and would ask passengers to contact their airline if they have any questions on flights.”
Prospect Negotiator, Jane Rose said: "This is a welcome improvement to the offer from the employer which we will now be putting to members via ballot, although it is clear there are wider pay structure issues at HIAL which remain to be addressed.
"As a gesture of good faith in the negotiations, and recognising the positive change in the offer from HIAL we will be suspending all industrial action until the conclusion of consultation with members."
Scottish airline Loganair previously said from March 17th, flights between Inverness Airport and the Islands would be suspended due ongoing strike action.
They say they will give an update once the ballot outcome is released.
A Loganair spokesperson said: "We warmly welcome this positive step forward in negotiations between HIAL airports and their unions.
Loganair aims to resume services from Inverness to Kirkwall, Sumburgh, Stornoway and Benbecula as soon as it is practical to do so and we will issue further updates in due course in line with the ballot outcome."