A UK airport, which handles over seven million passengers annually and connects travelers to more than 100 destinations worldwide, from the United States to the Caribbean and the Gulf, is facing potential disruption during the busy summer travel season. Unite the union has warned that as many as 800 workers across five companies operating at Glasgow Airport are involved in ongoing pay disputes. The five companies involved include Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, Swissport, Menzies Aviation, and Falck.
In a statement published today, on Saturday, June 7, Unite said that if these disputes are not resolved in the coming days, the union will move toward balloting members for industrial action within two weeks. This could lead to significant disruption at the airport, with the potential to “ground planes and passengers”, which could severely disrupt operations at one of Scotland’s busiest transport hubs during the peak holiday season.
General Secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, said: “Hundreds of workers at Glasgow airport are heading towards summer strike action which would ground planes and passengers.
“The companies involved are all highly profitable and can easily afford to give our members better pay and working conditions. The truth is that they are denying fair pay increases to cynically boost their profits.”
The disputes vary by employer but are united by a common theme focused on worker dissatisfaction with below-inflation pay offers and challenging working conditions.
Unite the union said that over 100 Swissport workers are in dispute over working rotas and work-life balance, while 250 ICTS central search workers are in a dispute over understaffing, working conditions and pay.
According to the union, 300 Menzies Aviation employees have rejected a proposed 4.25% basic pay increase, while 50 Falck firefighters, who deliver fire safety services at the airport, turned down a 3.6% offer.
120 workers employed by Glasgow Airport Limited, including engineers and airside support staff, also rejected a 3.6% increase.
Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite is in dispute with companies at Glasgow airport which could ultimately bring hundreds of workers out on strike.
“The companies can resolve these disputes with Unite before that situation happens by addressing the legitimate concerns and pay aspirations of our members.”
“If the companies refuse to work with Unite to resolve these disputes, then we will have no option but to open strike ballots. This could mean strike action happening from the middle of July.”