Wick John O'Groats Airport will be open during strike action later this month
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PASSENGERS flying from Wick later this month will not be affected by industrial action scheduled to take place at other airports in the Highlands and Islands.
Air traffic controllers have rejected a revised pay offer and are set to strike on Sunday, July 21, Monday, July 22, and Tuesday, July 23, but Wick John O'Groats Airport will remain open on these days as a result of what is described as "a local arrangement".
It was also in place during previous action by the Prospect union which represents air traffic controllers.
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.
Prospect and Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) met last Thursday in a bid to resolve the dispute but no agreement was reached between the two sides.
According to Hial, the offer comprised a retention allowance that would have given air traffic controllers an additional £10,000 over a five-year period but it was rejected by the union.
Afterwards, Inglis Lyon, Hial’s managing director, said: "We are dismayed that Prospect has announced further days of strike action and apologise sincerely to our customers, passengers and local communities for the continued disruption.
"It is disheartening to have received a counter-offer from Prospect that is beyond our affordability.
"Over the past eight months we have discussed various options with the union and have been clear throughout that any proposal must be affordable and within the terms of public sector pay policy. Prospect is aware of Hial’s budgetary restrictions and our latest offer constituted compromise to accommodate trade union demands within the bounds of the pay policy.
"We remain committed to resolving the dispute and our latest offer of a retention allowance of £10,000 over a five-year period remains on the table.
"The continued industrial action is having a significant impact on our communities and the airlines operating from our airports. We would encourage Prospect to revisit the offer and bring this dispute to an end."
The union received a formal proposal from the company on June 3. Following further discussion, the offer – based on a retention allowance – was enhanced and the union agreed to ballot its members. At the same time, Prospect agreed to suspend industrial action, including the work to rule, pending the outcome.
David Avery, the union’s negotiations officer, said: “While we will seek to avoid disrupting major events as much possible, any strike action is disruptive by its nature, particularly during the school holidays.
“We would like to reiterate that we have been seeking to resolve this dispute for more than a year and this action is only being taken as a last resort.”
Five airports in the Highlands and Islands will be affected by the action. Inverness will be closed on July 21, while the following day there will be no flights at Sumburgh and Kirkwall airports.
On July 23, Stornoway and Benbecula airports will be shut. Dundee airport – operated by Hial – will also be closed on that day.
