Strike action set to hit airport at Wick in March in dispute over pay
FIREFIGHTERS and security staff at airports in the Highlands and islands, including Wick John O' Groats are due to be on strike on various dates next month in a dispute over pay, according to the Prospect union.
Its members rejected a five per cent offer in October 2022 and since then the union says "no substantive progress has been made by the employer or Scottish Government to resolve the dispute."
Several days of strikes are set to take place across 10 airports operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), starting on March 8 and continuing until March 17.
Wick John O' Groats is set to take industrial industrial action on Friday, March 10, along with airport colleagues at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay and Kirkwall.
Strikes are also planned on March 13 and 17 at Inverness, Dundee and Islay.
Firefighters will take action short of a strike, including an overtime ban, a refusal to cover non-ambulance extensions and special openings, working to rosters and withdrawal of good will. Action short of a strike is likely to have a significant impact on normal operations across airports. That is due to start after March 17.
Jane Rose, Prospect negotiation officer, said: "Our members in fire and security ensure airports across the Highlands and islands operate safely and securely for the communities and businesses that they serve. They do not deserve the substantial real terms pay cut that is currently on offer.
"Members have resisted taking action for many months in the hope of avoiding disruption to their communities. However, we are in the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years and both HIAL and Scottish Government have completely failed to try and deliver a pay increase that properly addresses that. As such we have no option but to take this action."
She added: "We are calling on Scottish Government to meet urgently with us and HIAL management to fund an improved pay offer and avoid causing further impact on the remote and rural communities of Scotland.”
The action comes after similar action by Unite members at HIAL in February, and will cause further disruption for rural communities across Scotland.
HIAL said its local teams are liaising closely with airlines to determine the impact of the industrial action and the potential disruption for passengers.
Company managing director, Inglis Lyon, said: "We met with Prospect, Unite and PCS union representatives last Thursday, (February 16), and presented an enhanced proposal which comprised a tiered one-off non-consolidated payment on top of the percentage increase we offered before Christmas.
"The three trade unions carefully considered the proposal, but unfortunately notified us that the proposal will not be sufficient to resolve the dispute."
He added: "We are disappointed that our proposal fell short of the unions’ expectations and apologise for the disruption this industrial action will cause for our customers and airlines. We remain committed to resolving this matter and have asked to meet with the union representatives next week to better understand areas of potential compromise."