Scottish airport staff could strike during World Cup and Commonwealth Games

Scottish airport workers are to ballot for strike action this summer which could disrupt travel to the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

Unite said 900 workers across Scotland would vote on industrial action in a dispute over pay with three companies based at Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.

It said if strike action went ahead it could take place during the busy summer holiday[period, coinciding with the World Cup in June - when many Scots hope to travel to the US - and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August.

Both Menzies Aviation and Edinburgh Airport Ltd said their pay offers were well above inflation. ICTS has been contacted for comment.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Hundreds of workers across Scotland's largest airports are heading towards summer strike action.

"The companies involved are all highly profitable. They can easily afford to give our members fair and reasonable pay offers but have decided to put boosting profits before people."

Last week, Unite announced that about 170 ICTS workers are being balloted over industrial action at Glasgow airport, after a pay offer was rejected.

A further 70 ICTS members based at Aberdeen airport are now also being asked to vote. The firm provides staff for search areas as well as other security roles.

About 370 staff from Edinburgh Airport Ltd, including airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers, will now also vote, alongside about 280 ground services crew employed by Menzies Aviation.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said: "In a time of global uncertainty around aviation, we have proposed a deal that is well above what has been offered to many other workers in Scotland and is well above inflation.

"Pay for our colleagues has already increased by 24.6% cumulatively since 2023, outpacing inflation.

"Strike ballots from Unite and the accompanying publicity only add to that uncertainty."

It added the offer comes as the airport has faced an unplanned 142% increase in business rates, which means an additional £8m of costs to cover.

"Edinburgh Airport has always worked with unions to ensure fairness and equity and has a proven track record of collaboration and consensus. We remain open to negotiating in good faith with our unions, ballot or not," the spokesperson said.

Menzies Aviation said it was aware of potential industrial action at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.

"Discussions are ongoing and we are proactively working towards an outcome that is fair and workable for all parties, while recognising the challenging operating environment caused by the Middle East conflict," a spokesperson said.

"Pay at both locations has consistently increased above inflation since the Covid pandemic, and our current proposal again exceeds inflation and aligns with agreements the union has reached with other ground handlers at Edinburgh and Glasgow.

"Should industrial action take place, we have robust and proven contingency plans to minimise any potential disruption to our airline customers and their passengers, ensuring flights can operate as scheduled."

Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer, added: "Any strike action would ground planes and passengers during an expectedly busy period with the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games."

"The blame for this situation arising will lie entirely with these extremely wealthy companies. They can end these disputes immediately, and in doing so they can give the travelling public peace of mind."

A Glasgow Airport spokesperson said last week: "We are aware of ongoing talks between Unite and ICTS and are keen to ensure that this dialogue results in a positive resolution."

Four of the ballots will close on 21 May, while ICTS staff at Aberdeen will have until 28 May to vote.