Home   News   Article

Air traffic controllers call off strike action in Highlands and Islands





STRIKE action which had been planned at airports in the Highlands and Islands next week over a pay claim has been called off after management submitted a revised offer to its air traffic controllers.

A walkout was planned for Wednesday, although Wick John O' Groats Airport was not due to be involved as a "local arrangement" had been put in place. That had also happened when a day-long strike was planned on May 23.

Previous action affected Kirkwall, Sumburgh, Stornoway, Benbecula, Inverness and Dundee.

Wick John O'Groats Airport.
Wick John O'Groats Airport.

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial), which runs 11 airports, including Wick John O'Groats, is pleased the strike has been called off.

Its managing director, Inglis Lyon, said: "Following consideration of a further proposal from the company, Prospect has suspended strike action planned for Wednesday. The proposal recognises the skills of our air traffic control officers and the importance of delivering air traffic management services for the future and is within the flexibility granted by the Scottish Government to examine a retention allowance for air traffic controllers.

"We are pleased Prospect has taken the decision to suspend strike action to allow consultation on our offer to take place. During the period of consultation Prospect has advised the work to rule will remain in place.

"Our aim is to resolve this dispute as soon as possible and we will, of course, continue to engage with Prospect as it consults members on our proposal."

Details of the revised offer are not known but it is understood the union wanted a pay increase of about 10 per cent.

Richard Hardy, Prospect national secretary, said: "We have received a revised pay offer from Hial which we will be putting to our members for consideration. In light of this we are suspending the strike action scheduled for June 12.

"Action short of a strike will continue."

Talks had been taking place between management and union representatives for some time but no agreement had been reached.

Hial is owned by the Scottish Government but Prospect said controllers employed at other airports are paid more than it members in the Highlands and Islands.

The union said it had no option but to strike as talks with management were unproductive but the company insisted it wanted to resolve the dispute.

In the longer term, Hial plans to have its air traffic controlled remotely from a new digital tower based in Inverness.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.


This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More