Holiday chaos for Scots tourists as airport staff head towards summer strikes
Scots holidaymakers could be facing a summer of travel chaos as hundreds of airport workers head towards strike action.
Travellers gearing up up for sunny getaways might be faced with disruption on major holiday routes at Glasgow Airport as industrial action poses threats to departure and arrival times. Around 450 employees at the airport are preparing to walk out amid unresolved disputes over pay and working conditions.
Unite the Union, which represents the staff, say the firms involved are Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, and Swissport. Among those preparing to down their tools within Glasgow Airport Ltd include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers.
A further 250 ICTS central search workers - who provide airport security - remain in a live dispute over understaffing, working conditions and pay.
These employees deal directly with passengers in the security search area and process them for flights.
Unite members are currently being balloted on a pay offer on basic pay, shift allowances and overtime rates.
Meanwhile, over 100 Swissport workers remain in rows with the firm over working rotas and work-life balance, plus health and safety concerns.
Swissport is the country's largest ground handler.
Its employees provide ground handling services to many major airlines, including ticketing and baggage handling.
It comes as Glasgow Airport Limited made £40.65m in its latest recorded accounts while ICTS (UK) Limited made £4.4m.
An overwhelming 98.7 per cent of Glasgow Airport Limited employees voted in favour of industrial action to secure a better pay offer.
Around 100 workers employed by the company recently rejected a basic four per cent pay rise.
Meanwhile, a consultative ballot on a new offer made by Swissport to address the outstanding issues has been put to the workforce.
The ballot concludes on July 14.
If this offer is rejected, Unite will move to open a full industrial action ballot.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ' Employers at Glasgow Airport will not get away with underpaying or mistreating Unite's members. Hundreds of workers are involved in disputes at the airport.
" Summer strike action which would ground planes and passengers remains on the cards.
"These highly profitable companies can easily afford to put the minds of the travelling public at rest by making fair offers to workers.'
Elsewhere, a dispute involving 300 ground service workers employed by Menzies Aviation has been resolved.
Unite successfully negotiated a deal which establishes a four per cent minimum increase for new starters, and up to 10 per cent for workers depending on grades.
The Menzies employees include dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers.
A total of 50 Falck firefighters who perform fire safety functions at the airport have also accepted a basic wage increase of 4.5 per cent following successful negotiations, bringing this dispute to an end.
Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said: 'Strike action has moved a step closer after our Glasgow Airport Limited members emphatically backed industrial action.
"We believe the airport's new management is attempting to put us on a collision course which would bring out hundreds of workers on strike during the peak summer holiday season.""Meanwhile, Unite has successfully delivered significant pay deals for our members at Menzies Aviation and Falck.
"These deals build on the recent successes made with other companies at the airport. It clearly demonstrates that pay disputes can be resolved through negotiation and without the need for industrial action if companies are willing to work with Unite.'
A spokesperson for Swissport said: 'Our priority is the safety and wellbeing and fair treatment of our workforce, alongside maintaining high standards of service for our customers and we remain committed to working constructively with Unite to find a fair and sustainable resolution.'
A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: 'We are reviewing the ballot results and remain open to finding a sensible resolution.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Glasgow Airport strike may have significant impact we are keen to avoid
Strikes at Glasgow Airport could cause 'a significant impact which we are keen to avoid', a union official has said. Unite has said around 450 workers are on course for strike action over the busy summer period as part of three pay disputes. The three companies involved are are Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, and Swissport. However, Unite has said it will be taking new offers from ICTS Central Search and Swissport to a further ballot of members next week. Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio programme, Unite industrial officer Pat McIlvogue said Glasgow Airport Ltd are refusing to meet with the union. The union represents around 100 staff which are employed by the airport. Mr McIlvogue accused the airport of negotiating in 'bad faith' and having forced them into an industrial action ballot, which led to 98.7% being willing to take action. Staff could take strike action on July 18, he said, with those potentially involved including 'airfield ops, the ambassadors, the engineers, the managers'. Mr McIlvogue said: 'It could have a significant impact which we are keen to avoid. This is a call for them to get back around the table 'That's what we're asking for today – we're keen to avoid disruption, we don't want to affect the travelling public.' A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said: 'We are reviewing the ballot results and remain open to finding a sensible resolution.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Major decision that could plunge Scots' summer holidays into chaos is just weeks away
Passengers and planes could be grounded FLIGHTMARE Major decision that could plunge Scots' summer holidays into chaos is just weeks away Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Holidaygoers have been warned about travel disruption at Glasgow Airport Credit: Les Gallagher 4 Over 800 staff are being balloted on strike action Credit: Alamy 4 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.
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scottish Labour MPs call for UK Government to 'tell a better story' on election anniversary
EXCLUSIVE: Speaking to the Record, Scottish Labour MPs have given their verdicts on a difficult first year in charge for Keir Starmer. Scottish Labour MPs have called for the UK Government to 'tell a better story' and 'learn quickly from our mistakes' a year on from the party's historic election victory. Graeme Downie said the Labour Government must 'keep on doing' things like increasing the minimum wage and helping people with energy bills. Fellow MP Joani Reid said the Government 'haven't moved as quickly or delivered as effectively as I'd have liked in some areas' but said there has been 'genuine progress'. Labour secured a landslide win over the Tories last year - with Keir Starmer becoming the first Labour Prime Minister for 14 years. Scots also overwhelmingly backed Labour, with the party winning 37 of the 57 constituencies north of the border. However, the Government has been dogged by criticism over policies like cutting winter fuel payments and proposing cuts to disability benefits. Starmer's poll rating has tanked and Labour are at risk from Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Speaking to the Record, Scottish Labour MPs gave their verdict on a difficult first year. Dunfermline and Dollar MP Downie said: "We need to tell a better story focussed on what we are doing for people, not just large numbers of investment so when people feel they have more money in their pocket they know it is thanks to this UK Labour government. "We have already delivered a pay rise for 200,000 of the lowest paid, extending £150 off energy bills to over 500,000 households and savings on petrol by extending the fuel duty cut as well as putting money in the pocket of former miners by solving the injustice of their pensions. "Those are the kinds of things we need to keep on doing because people will feel the benefit." East Kilbride and Strathaven MP Reid said: 'One year into a Labour government, it hasn't been easy. We inherited huge economic challenges made tougher by global instability. People already know the mess we took on; they don't want politicians complaining about how difficult the job is—and frankly, I don't like doing it. We applied to run the country, so it's our responsibility to get on with fixing it. 'We haven't been perfect, and we haven't moved as quickly or delivered as effectively as I'd have liked in some areas. But we have made genuine progress. 'In East Kilbride, we've protected hundreds of jobs by saving the international development office from Tory closure. 'Thousands of local people received a decent pay rise when we increased the minimum wage in April. And nationally, we've begun delivering on our promises: a proper new deal for working people, tackling insecure work, and laying foundations for a fairer economy. 'Scotland has huge opportunities ahead—especially in defence industries and clean energy jobs. But to seize them fully, we need change at Holyrood too, so we can fix the NHS and education system after years of neglect. 'People rightly want results, not excuses. Our task now is clear: deliver faster, learn quickly from our mistakes, and keep working to build the country people deserve.' MPs believe there have been positives over the last year, including a rise in the minimum wage and a boost to workers' rights. They also believe Starmer has risen to the challenge on foreign affairs. Western Isles MP Torcuil Crichton said it was important that the Government focuses on the cost of living from now on. He said: " It's going to be defined by three things: living standards, energy and international affairs. "On living standards we've still got a job to do... Let's double down on improving people's standard of living. "Let's get the energy transition right by making sure there are jobs there for people and that communities benefit as well, because there are massive profits being made here and we can use that to change people's lives. " Glenrothes MP Richard Baker, who initially backed plans to sink the Government welfare reform. said the party needed to be 'relentless' about getting its message across. He said: "What we want to do in terms of the party in Westminster is ensuring we are relentless at getting across the positive things we are doing and focusing on where we are making achievements which really matter to the folk of Scotland, like increasing minimum wage, workers' rights, wages going up faster than the cost of living, growing the economy. "There are loads of good things happening. It's about focusing more on that and making sure we are relentless about that message." SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn said: 'Keir Starmer's first year in office speaks for itself – a litany of broken promises, u-turns, scandals, and failures on the economy that have removed optimism from a public who were so desperate for change. "Voters were promised a new direction but instead they got more of the same Westminster cuts and failure. Families and small businesses hammered by tax hikes, and soaring bills - with millions of people feeling worse off whilst being lectured that things are getting better. 'The UK economy has been downgraded, public finances have deteriorated, unemployment is up, poverty is at record levels and the cost of food, energy and household bills have risen by hundreds of pounds on Keir Starmer's watch. "When people look back on the Labour Party's year in office they will remember the cuts to disabled people and pensioners' winter fuel payments, the betrayal of WASPI women and children in poverty, rising energy bills and food prices, and a Prime Minister who took thousands of pounds of designer clothes and freebies while imposing austerity cuts on the rest of us. "That is not the new direction people in Scotland wanted nor deserved."
