Scottish holidaymakers face summer of chaos amid airport strike action

Scottish holidaymakers face summer of chaos amid airport strike action

• Hundreds of workers warn strike action was now ‘inevitable’ as 4 per cent pay rise offer and £500 payment rejected
• Union chiefs claim strike will cause 'widespread disruption' at airports at height of busy summer holiday season
• More than 600,000 passengers expected to pass through Glasgow Airport in coming weeks

Scottish holidaymakers are facing a summer of strike chaos as airport security staff vow to walkout within days unless pay demands are met.

Hundreds of workers at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports have warned strike action was ‘inevitable’ just as the summer rush reaches its peak.

Airports are expecting their busiest period since before the pandemic as Scots escape the country’s so-far underwhelming summer for sunnier climes.

But those wanting to escape to hotter destinations like the Canary Islands, Greece and Spain have been told to brace for ‘widespread disruption’ unless a better pay deal is offered.

Yesterday Unite confirmed that the ICTS Central Search employees, who deal with passengers directly in the security search areas and process them for flights, could start action in mid-July unless ICTS significantly moves on pay in the coming days.

They had been offered a four per cent pay rise, back dated to January, and a £500 one-off payment but workers have dismissed it as not enough.

Pat McIlvogue, the union’s lead industrial officer for aviation in Scotland, warned: ‘Strike action is now inevitable because 300 ICTS workers at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports have been left with no choice but to fight for what they deserve.

‘We are calling on AGS, the owner of the airports to intervene in a final attempt to get ICTS to step back from the brink of a major dispute which will cause widespread disruption.

‘Without these workers, the airports simply can’t operate.’

Despite the threat ICTS insisted there would be ‘no disruptions’.

At Glasgow Airport around 600,000 passengers expected to pass through the terminal in the three weeks leading up to July 18.

In what airport bosses are expecting will be their busiest period since 2019, until mid-July an average of 30,000 passengers will pass through its doors every single day on more than 240 flights.

Meanwhile, at Aberdeen Airport, around three million passengers pass through its doors a year and sees holiday makers jet off to some of Europe’s most popular destinations including Alicante and Amsterdam.

It is also a vital lifeline for those travelling around the country, with domestic flights including those to London Heathrow and Sumburgh, in Shetland.

Unite yesterday said scheduled talks with ICTS Central Search management were cancelled at the last minute by the firm in June - and there has been no break through in negotiations despite months of talks.

Strike action was backed by 98.5 per cent at Glasgow airport, with the ballot involving around 200 ICTS workers. At Aberdeen, 89.7 per cent of the roughly 100 workers backed the strike.

An ICTS spokesman said: ‘Constructive pay talks with our staff at Glasgow and Aberdeen airports are ongoing.

‘We would like to reassure the travelling public that their security is our priority and there will be no disruptions.’

And spokesman for AGS, which owns and operates Aberdeen and Glasgow airports, said: ‘AGS does not involve itself in discussion between third parties, however, we are ensuring that ongoing dialog between ICTS and Unite can continue with a view to reaching a positive outcome.’

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