Strike action at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports is “inevitable” said the Unite union after workers overwhelmingly voted to strike in a pay dispute.
Unite confirmed the outcome of the vote today with strike action supported by 98.5 per cent of around 200 ICTS (UK) Limited workers at Glasgow.
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And a total of 89.7 per cent of around 100 ICTS workers at Aberdeen also voted in favour of strike action.
Unite confirmed that the ICTS Central Search employees could start action in mid-July unless ICTS significantly moves on pay in the coming days.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members employed by ICTS at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports will not tolerate low pay.
“ICTS is a very profitable company, yet it is refusing to make our members a fair pay offer.
“Unite will back our ICTS members every step of the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Unite’s lead industrial officer for aviation in Scotland Pat McIlvogue said ICTS had chosen to take the dispute to the point of strike action “rather than act in a responsible way by negotiating a fair pay offer with Unite”.
Without these workers, the airports simply can’t operate
Pat McIlvogue
“Strike action is now inevitable because 300 ICTS workers at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports have been left with no choice but to fight for what they deserve,” he said.
Mr McIlvogue called on AGS, the owner of Aberdeen and Glasgow airports, to intervene in a final attempt to get ICTS to step back from the brink of causing widespread travel disruption.
He added: “Without these workers, the airports simply can’t operate.”
ICTS central search workers at the two Scottish airports have already rejected a basic pay increase of 4 per cent, backdated to January 2024 and a £500 one-off payment.
It comes as we previously told how the union reported growing incidents of “fatigue, exhaustion, and stress” due to staff working “beyond six hours with no break.”
And said it now has “no option” but to move towards initiating industrial action ballots ahead of the summer holiday rush.
Strike action is now inevitable because workers have been left with no choice but to fight for what they deserve
Pat McIlvogue
Ms Graham said at the time: “Workers at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports have emphatically rejected ICTS’ miserable pay offer.
“The company is extremely profitable, and it can easily afford to make a far better offer to our members.
“Unite will fully back our ICTS Central Search members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
ICTS Central Search employs around 220 workers at Glasgow Airport and around 100 workers at Aberdeen Airport.
The workers deal with passengers directly in the security search areas and process them for flights.
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They also cover mobile patrols, control access posts, screen all deliveries and deal with emergency services.
AGS, who own Aberdeen and Glasgow airports, have been contacted for comment.
‘GENEROUS PROPOSAL’
ICTS told the Scottish Sun last month that staff were offered a “generous pay proposal”.
But they added that there “will be no disruptions” amid the pay dispute.
A spokesperson said: “Constructive pay talks with our staff at Glasgow airport are ongoing.
“Generous pay proposals have been tabled that would give staff a minimum of four per cent increase as well as a lump sum payment.
“This is in addition to the 15-28 per cent increases our staff have received over the last 2 years.
“We would like to reassure the travelling public that their security is our priority and there will be no disruptions”.
