Union members working for Scottish airports accept pay deal
The update has been welcomed by unions and employer HIAL
Last updated 21st Mar 2023
Airport staff across Scotland have voted to accept a pay deal.
Members of the Prospect and Unite unions working for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) were threatening to go on strike last week, which would have closed several airports including Inverness and Dundee.
However, action was diverted after an enhanced pay offer was put to staff on March 9th, with union members now voting to accept the deal.
The PCS union still to ballot its members on the issue.
Loganair services to and from Inverness are currently suspended, but in a previous statement the airline said they would look to reinstate flights "as soon as it is practical to do so" once a ballot outcome was known.
'Wider pay structure issues' still remain - Prospect
The dispute involved security staff, baggage handlers, ground crew along with those working in fire and rescue, security and administration.
Various airports across the country have been forced to close due to strikes earlier this year.
The accepted offer involves a 7% uplift for those earning up to £44 000, 5% uplift for those earning up to £80,000 and 4% for those above £80 000.
Prospect Negotiations Officer, Jane Rose feels there are still wider issues which need to be addressed.
She said: "We are pleased that Prospect members have accepted this new deal and the dispute can now be brought to an end.
"Our members at HIAL provide a vital service for the Highlands and Islands and deserve to have their work and skills properly compensated. This deal has required compromise from all involved and I thank Scottish Ministers for giving HIAL the authority to reach a deal.
"It is clear there are wider pay structure issues which remain to be addressed and we look forward to working constructively with HIAL to tackle these as we move, almost immediately, into 2023-24 discussions."
74% of Prospect members voted to accept the latest offer, while 93% of Unite members were also happy with the enhanced deal.
Shauna Wright, Unite industrial officer said: “The deal secured at the HIAL Group represents a significant shift in position from when the industrial action by Unite members started in December.
"There has been movement by the company, and ultimately the Scottish Government, which has brought the dispute to an end for Unite.
"We are pleased our members will receive a significant boost to their pay and conditions.
"We are also urging the Scottish Government to grant HIAL the flexibility to negotiate with trade unions going forward and this must entail a review of how the public pay policy actually works in practice."
Apology to customers and airline partners - HIAL
HIAL Managing Director, Inglis Lyon is pleased the offer has been accepted.
He said: "The most recent offer exceeded the original flexibility of the Scottish Government pay policy, providing a 7% salary uplift for those earning £44,000 or less, a 5% uplift for those earning up to £80,000, with 4% over that salary level.
"We are sorry that the industrial action and route suspensions have caused considerable disruption for passengers and our customers, particularly for those on our island communities who rely on our airports to support essential and lifeline services.
"We also apologise for the significant impact the action has had on our airline partners.
"This positive result will provide our partner airlines with the certainty they require to plan air connectivity for their passengers."
Work ongoing to grow passenger numbers at Scottish airports - Ms Gilruth
Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth has thanked all those involved in the negotiations.
She said: "I’m very pleased that a resolution has been reached and that vital connectivity for our remote communities will be restored as soon as possible.
"Whilst the impact on services has been disruptive for affected communities, I’d like to thank HIAL and both unions for continuing to engage constructively throughout this process and ultimately coming to an agreement that will be welcomed by staff and passengers.
"We will continue to work with HIAL to grow passenger numbers through their airports with the aim of maintaining the commercial viability of services on which our remote communities depend."