Airport workers to be balloted on strike action ahead of summer holidays
Workers at both Glasgow and Aberdeen airports will vote on industrial action after rejecting a "miserable" pay offer.
Last updated 6th Jun 2024
Airport workers at Glasgow and Aberdeen airports are to be balloted on industrial action with the summer holidays just a few weeks away.
It comes after they rejected a "miserable" pay offer.
Unite said around 300 ICTS Central Search members at both airports rejected a basic pay increase of 4% backdated to January and a £500 one-off payment.
The workers deal with passengers in the security search areas and process them for flights.
Unite said the employees also cover mobile patrols, control access posts, screen all deliveries and deal with emergency services.
Around 200 members at Glasgow and 100 at Aberdeen will be balloted on industrial action ahead of the summer holiday rush.
"Miserable" pay offer
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Workers at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports have emphatically rejected ICTS's miserable pay offer.
"The company is extremely profitable and it can easily afford to make a far better offer to our members.
"Unite will fully back our ICTS Central Search members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions."
Pat McIlvogue, Unite's lead industrial officer for the aviation sector in Scotland, said: "ICTS Central Search workers undertake safety and security-critical tasks at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports. They deserve to be treated with respect.
"There should be a pay offer on the table which reflects the importance of their jobs. Without these workers the airports simply can't operate.
"We now have no option but to move towards balloting around 300 members for industrial action ahead of the summer holiday rush."
ICTS Central Search and AGS Airports have been approached for comment.