Highland airport pay dispute over as union members accept deal
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Union members at the region's airport operator have accepted an enhanced pay offer and ended a prolonged dispute.
The row over pay had led to some industrial action at sites operated by Highland and Islands Airports Limited, as well as airline Loganair arranging to suspend some of its flights linking Inverness to Stornoway, Benbecula, Kirkwall and Sumburgh.
But Prospect and Unite balloted its members on a revised deal with the majority voting to accept the new terms providing a seven per cent uplift for those earning up to £44,000, five per cent uplift for those earning up to £80,000 and four per cent for those above £80,000.
The ballot included some fire service and security employees.
HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon said: “We are pleased that the enhanced offer has been accepted by colleagues.
“The most recent offer exceeded the original flexibility of the Scottish Government pay policy.
“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.”
Prospect negotiations officer Jane Rose 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.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members across the Highlands and Islands airports stood firm and fought to achieve a positive result. Unite’s members are to be congratulated for leading the fight to secure better jobs, pay and conditions across the Highlands and Islands.”
