New offer made to air traffic controllers in Highlands and Islands
A REVISED pay offer has been made to air traffic controllers working at airports in the Highlands and Islands, including Wick John O'Groats.
As a result the Prospect union, which represents controllers, called off all its planned industrial action and is balloting its members on the new offer.
Controllers were on a 24-hour stoppage on May 23, although the Caithness airport was not affected as "a local arrangement" had been put in place. Further action was due to take place on Wednesday but was called off following the revised pay offer.
Previous action affected Kirkwall, Sumburgh, Stornoway, Benbecula, Inverness and Dundee.
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) runs 11 airports, including Wick John O'Groats, on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Hial managing director Inglis Lyon is pleased the strike action has been called off.
He said: "Following a productive meeting with Prospect, we have received confirmation that all industrial action, including the work to rule, will be suspended, pending the outcome of the ballot on our revised offer."
Prospect negotiations officer David Avery said: "The offer we have received from Hial is sufficiently different to the original offer that we want to give members the chance to properly consider it and vote on whether to accept it. We are not making a recommendation on whether to accept or reject the offer."
Highlands and Islands Green MSP John Finnie said: "Air traffic controllers ensure that my constituents in remote and island communities can make lifeline connections and I’m grateful for the important job they do. I have been fully supportive of Prospect and its members throughout the process, and hope that the situation is resolved satisfactorily soon."
Edward Mountain, Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: "I am pleased that all industrial action has been suspended and I do hope that the revised offer, which is going to ballot, will bring a satisfactory conclusion for both sides. Families, businesses and health patients will welcome this positive step in the right direction."
Controllers have been working to rule since April over a pay dispute. The union wants an increase of 10 per cent and claims its members at other airports are paid much more than those in the Highlands and Islands.
The ballot opened on Wednesday and closes on June 28.
Prospect said if the pay offer is rejected then action short of a strike would resume on June 29.