Bosses at Dundee Airport have hit out at “unhelpful” union officials after strikes were announced for the Christmas period.
Members of the Unite union, who represent staff at airports run by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) – including Dundee – have voted for strike action after rejecting a 5% pay offer.
Nearly three-quarters of workers backed industrial action.
Unite has yet to announce the dates of the strikes – only warning they will cause “huge disruption over the winter break and festive period”.
Dates are expected to be confirmed next week – but HIAL bosses claim they are leaving passengers in the dark.
‘Airport workers can’t afford to live’
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, says members have no choice but to go on strike as the pay offer put forward amounts to a “significant pay cut” when inflation is taken into account.
She said: “Airport workers across highland and island communities simply can’t afford to live on their current wages.
“To then present them with what amounts to a significant pay cut at a time of rocketing living costs leaves them with no other course of action but to take a stand.
“The Scottish Government and HIAL have to act to deliver on pay or face a rural workforce crisis.
“Unite’s members working across these 11 airports have emphatically backed industrial action and they will have their union’s full support in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
A HIAL spokesperson said: “Unite’s media statement is unhelpful as it does not explain what industrial action will take place, or the dates it will commence.
Passengers ‘facing anxiety over festive period’
“This makes it difficult for airlines and their customers to plan, creating unnecessary anxiety for passengers and communities over the festive period.
“We recognise the challenges our colleagues face due to inflationary pressures and the cost of living crisis.
“Nonetheless, we are disappointed that they have voted for industrial action. The enhanced offer we presented maximised the flexibility within the Scottish Government’s pay policy.
“HIAL will do all it can to minimise any disruption caused by industrial action over the festive period and we urge Unite to continue to engage in constructive dialogue and work with us to find a resolution.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government added: “We absolutely respect the democratic right of union members to take industrial action – though it is disappointing that passengers face the prospect of disruption ahead of the festive period.
“We encourage HIAL and Unite to continue to engage in positive dialogue in order to resolve this dispute.”
Conversation