Strikes at Glasgow Airport could cause “a significant impact which we are keen to avoid”, a union official has said.
Unite has said around 450 workers are on course for strike action over the busy summer period as part of three pay disputes.
The three companies involved are are Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, and Swissport.
Which Glasgow Airport staff are striking?
Around 98.7% of Unite members employed by Glasgow Airport Limited have backed taking industrial action to secure a better pay offer. Around 100 workers employed by the company have recently rejected a basic 4% pay offer.
The Glasgow Airport Limited workers include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers.
A further 250 ICTS central search workers remain in a live dispute over understaffing, working conditions and pay. The workers deal with passengers directly in the security search area and process them for flights.
However, Unite has said it will be taking new offers from ICTS Central Search and Swissport to a further ballot of members next week.
What is Unite saying?
Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme, Unite industrial officer Pat McIlvogue said Glasgow Airport Ltd are refusing to meet with the union.
The union represents around 100 staff which are employed by the airport.
McIlvogue accused the airport of negotiating in “bad faith” and having forced them into an industrial action ballot, which led to 98.7% being willing to take action.
Staff could take strike action on July 18, he said, with those potentially involved including “airfield ops, the ambassadors, the engineers, the managers”.
Will this affect my fights from Glasgow this summer?
McIlvogue said: “It could have a significant impact which we are keen to avoid. This is a call for them to get back around the table
“That’s what we’re asking for today – we’re keen to avoid disruption, we don’t want to affect the travelling public.”
A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said: “We are reviewing the ballot results and remain open to finding a sensible resolution.”
A spokesperson for Swissport said: “Our priority is the safety and wellbeing and fair treatment of our workforce, alongside maintaining high standards of service for our customers and we remain committed to working constructively with Unite to find a fair and sustainable resolution.”
