Airport workers to vote on summer holiday strike action

Hundreds of workers at two Scottish airports are set to vote on summer holiday strike action in a dispute over pay.

Unite the union confirmed members rejected a pay offer from ICTS Central Search which employs around 220 workers at Glasgow Airport and around 100 workers at Aberdeen Airport.

It comes as staff are “routinely” going without breaks they are legally entitled to due to staffing issues, the union said.

Workers rejected a pay increase of 4% and a £500 one-off payment from the company, with Unite set to move towards a ballot on industrial action ahead of the busy summer holiday period.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports have emphatically rejected ICTS’ miserable pay offer.

“The company is extremely profitable, and it can easily afford to make a far better offer to our members.

“Unite will fully back our ICTS Central Search members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

The workers deal with passengers directly in the security search areas and process them for flights.

Staff also carry out mobile patrols, control access posts, screen all deliveries and deal with emergency services at the airport.

Unite said workers had reported growing incidents of “fatigue, exhaustion, and stress” due to staff working “beyond six hours with no break.”

Pat McIlvogue, Unite’s lead industrial officer for the aviation sector in Scotland, said: “ICTS Central Search workers undertake safety and security critical tasks at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports. They deserve to be treated with respect.

“There should be a pay offer on the table which reflects the importance of their jobs. Without these workers the airports simply can’t operate.

“We now have no option but to move towards balloting around 300 members for industrial action ahead of the summer holiday rush.”

A spokesperson for ICTS Central Search said: “Constructive pay talks with our staff at Glasgow airport are ongoing.

“Generous pay proposals have been tabled that would give staff a minimum of 4% increase as well as a lump sum payment.

“This is in addition to the 15-28% increases our staff have received over the last two years.

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

ASG Airports have been contacted for comment.