Airport staff may strike during World Cup and Commonwealth Games

Hundreds of workers at Scotland's two busiest airports have backed taking strike action over the summer in a row over pay.

Nearly 700 staff at Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports voted in favour of walking out, potentially during the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and school summer holidays.

Trade union Unite said the action, which involves staff working for three different employers, would cause severe disruption to services, with strike dates to be announced in due course.

One of the employers, Menzies Aviation, said it was disappointed by the strike threat but said it had contingency plans in place to minimise disruption.

A further ballot involving 70 staff at Aberdeen Airport, in a further dispute over pay, is ongoing and will close on 28 May.

Around the 370 of the workers are employed by Edinburgh Airport Limited as airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers.

In Glasgow around 320 of the staff work for ICTS and Menzies Aviation, with roles in ground services and dealing with passengers directly in security search areas.

Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said the strikes were due to "wealthy companies choosing to boost profits before people" and an improved pay offer was needed to avert industrial action.

Carrie Donoghue, an industrial officer with Unite, said: "Strike dates will be set in the coming days.

"Strikes will severely disrupt planes and passengers during an extremely busy period with the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and summer holidays.

"The companies need to reflect on their workers' anger and frustration shown by the willingness to take strike action and get back round the table with improved pay offers."

A spokesperson from Menzies Aviation said it was disappointed the union had moved towards industrial action and that it hoped an "amicable resolution" could be reached.

They said "We have engaged constructively throughout and put forward a fair and workable offer for all parties that recognises the challenging operating environment caused by the Middle East conflict.

"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.

"We hope an amicable resolution can be reached soon."

There are "robust and proven contingency plans" in place to minimise disruption should strike action go ahead, the spokesperson added.

Edinburgh and Glasgow airports and ICTS have been contacted for comment.