An industrial dispute involving security staff will close Dundee Airport for two days next week.
The staff work for AMSL, which is now part of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. Supported by the Prospect union, they have been demanding wage parity with other HIAL staff.
HIAL says it has “made some progress” in resolving the dispute, but will be forced to close Dundee Airport for 48 hours while it considers the union’s latest position.
A HIAL spokesman said: “Following detailed discussions with Prospect, we believe we have made some progress with the union, with both sides showing willingness to compromise.
“We now require some time, with our Transport Scotland colleagues, to consider the issues we have discussed with Prospect.”
It said it had asked the union to postpone the industrial action in the meantime “as a sign of goodwill” but had been knocked back.
The spokesman added: “Unfortunately, the union has insisted on an immediate response to their requests and we are simply not able to provide this. As a result, the union has confirmed that it will proceed as planned with its strike threat.
“We regret that, having come this far and made reasonable progress in our discussions, the union has presented an entirely arbitrary and unreasonable deadline, to which we simply cannot accede.”
The spokesman confirmed Dundee will close for 48 hours from noon on Tuesday.
HIAL’s other 10 airports will remain in operation.
Alan Denney, of Prospect, said: “Despite attempts to find a settlement to the dispute in AMSL, the inability of the company or the Scottish Government to find a way to settle this matter means that industrial action is inevitable.”
The union said 87% of members voted in favour of strike action, on a turnout of 85%, and had been timed to minimise disruption for holiday travel.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Courier.