Major decision that could plunge Scots' summer holidays into chaos is just weeks away
FLIGHTMARE Major decision that could plunge Scots' summer holidays into chaos is just weeks away
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SCOTTISH holidaymakers have been warned that they face travel chaos over the summer as hundreds of airport workers prepare to go on strike.
More than 800 workers from five companies are currently involved in disputes over pay and working conditions.
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Holidaygoers have been warned about travel disruption at Glasgow Airport
Credit: Les Gallagher
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Over 800 staff are being balloted on strike action
Credit: Alamy
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And it could cause chaos for those heading on their summer holidays
Credit: Les Gallagher - The Sun Glasgow
Unite the union said workers at Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, Swissport, Menzies Aviation and Falck could be balloted for walkouts.
And this could cause major disruption across several holiday routes as thousands of families prepare to jet off over the summer break.
Staff at Glasgow Airport Ltd who are heading towards strike action include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers.
While the ICTS Central Search staff involved are workers who usually deal with passengers during security searches and process them ahead of their flights.
So it is feared that the strike action could impact departure and arrival times or could even "ground planes and passengers".
Last month, the union said that if no successful resolution to the disputes were reached, it would move towards holding votes on industrial action.
Hundreds of workers at Glasgow Airport are heading towards summer strike action which would ground planes and passengers
Sharon Graham
And now staff are officially being balloted on a pay offer on basic pay, shift allowances and overtime rates.
The ballot is set to conclude in less than two weeks on July 14.
Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said walkouts could be held from the middle of July if voted for.
Providing a breakdown of all staff involved, Unit said that over 100 Swissport workers are locked in a dispute about rotas and work-life balance, as many are "struggling with chronic fatigue".
Flight Chaos in Europe: French ATC Strikes Disrupt Travel for Thousands
It said the company "is demanding that workers at extreme short notice have to work shifts at various times and for various durations, which is directly impacting on their personal lives".
A further 250 ICTS Central Search workers are currently involved in a dispute over understaffing, working conditions and pay.
And a total of 120 workers employed by Glasgow Airport Limited have rejected a basic 3.6 per cent pay increase,
This same 3.6 per cent pay increase was rejected by 50 Falck firefighters who perform fire safety functions at the airport.
In addition to this, 300 Menzies Aviation workers, including dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers, rejected a basic uplift worth around 4.25 per cent.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Hundreds of workers at Glasgow Airport are heading towards summer strike action which would ground planes and passengers.
"The companies involved are all highly profitable and can easily afford to give our members better pay and working conditions.
"The truth is that they are denying fair pay increases to cynically boost their profits."
Mr McIlvogue said: "Unite is in dispute with companies at Glasgow Airport which could ultimately bring hundreds of workers out on strike.
"The companies can resolve these disputes with Unite before that situation happens by addressing the legitimate concerns and pay aspirations of our members.
MORE TRAVEL CHAOS
IT'S not just strike action at Glasgow Airport that is set to cause chaos for Scottish holidaymakers.
We previously told how over 100 Ryanair flights have been axed amid an air traffic control strike.
French staff walking off the job has caused the budget airline to axe dozens of planes taking tourists abroad.
The industrial action landed with the start of Europe's summer holidays, meaning airports and flights were set to be much busier, only adding to the chaos.
French ATC workers will be off the job TODAY amid complaints about overworking, burnout and understaffing.
The country's officials had asked airlines to axe the number of flights in Paris airports by 40 per cent to help them cope with the strike.
A total of 170 Ryanair flights have been axed, throwing the journeys of over 30,000 passengers into chaos.
But the chaos is also hammering punters who aren't even going to France.
The strike means planes cannot even fly over French airspace to get to their destinations.
This has seen flights to holiday hotspots like Greece and Spain all impacted.
The popular airline said: "In addition to flights to/from France being cancelled, this strike will also affect all French overflights."
Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary blasted the "abundantly unfair" strike for the chaos caused to passengers.
He said: 'Once again European families are held to ransom by French Air Traffic Controllers going on strike.
"It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike.
"It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays."
"If the companies refuse to work with Unite to resolve these disputes, then we will have no option but to open strike ballots. This could mean strike action happening from the middle of July."
A spokesperson for Swissport said: "We are in dialogue with Unite - the talks so far have been constructive and we remain focused on working together to address the issues being raised."
Phil Lloyd, senior vice president UK, Menzies Aviation, said last month: "Following the rejection of recent pay award proposals, we remain committed to seeking a resolution.
"And have in fact met with Unite today to make an enhanced offer, with a follow-up session scheduled.
"We hope to reach an agreement which is workable for both the business and our employees at Glasgow Airport.
"We continue to work towards an agreeable solution to protect services for our airline and airport partners and their customers."
Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, and Falck have been contacted for comment.
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