logo
Glasgow Airport staff get bonuses for spotting easyJet oversize bags

Glasgow Airport staff get bonuses for spotting easyJet oversize bags

The National14 hours ago
The payments, which are made directly to employees, are to 'reward agents doing the right thing', according to an email sent to staff which explained the 'easyJet gate bag revenue incentive' scheme.
For staff concerned about meeting targets, 'internal tracking will be used to identify opportunities for further support and training for individual agents, but will not be used negatively', it said.
READ MORE: Scottish airport announces 100ml liquids restriction lifted for first time
Swissport employs people in the Channel Islands, including Glasgow, Birmingham, Jersey and Newcastle.
Ground handlers earn around £12 an hour, with one former Swissport passenger service manager telling the Sunday Times they had no choice but to police the line on oversized baggage.
'Confronting people with excess baggage is like taking on fare dodgers,' he said.
'You risk abuse or worse – imagine stopping a group of lads on a stag weekend and telling them I'm going to have to charge you more than you paid for your tickets to check those bags into the hold.'
EasyJet allows passengers to take a small bag that fits under their seat for free and larger bags can be stored in overhead lockers for an additional fee.
However, if an oversized cabin bag is confiscated at an airport's gate, the passenger is charged £48 to stow it in the hold.
Swissport said: 'We serve our airline customers and apply their policies under terms and conditions for managing their operation. We're highly professional and our focus is on delivering safe and efficient operations, which we do day in and day out for 4m flights per year.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Major UK airport travel chaos planned as hundreds threaten to walk out
Major UK airport travel chaos planned as hundreds threaten to walk out

Daily Mirror

time28 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Major UK airport travel chaos planned as hundreds threaten to walk out

Brits jetting off during the busy summer holidays have been issued a stark warning as 450 staff members across three separate companies are threatening to strike at a major UK airport UK holidaymakers could face significant disruption if 450 workers at one UK airport plan to go ahead with strike action. Unionised staff members at Glasgow Airport - Scotland's second largest hub - have been embroiled in disputes around pay and working conditions for months, with an overwhelming 98.7 per cent of members backing industrial action. The strikes, which could take place in weeks during the busy summer holidays, involve three separate companies based at Glasgow Airport: Swissport, ICTS Central Search, and Glasgow Airport Ltd. ‌ The looming threat comes after 100 workers from Glasgow Airport Ltd (including airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers, and managers) rejected a four per cent increase. Unite points out that the company made a staggering £40.65 million in its 'latest recorded accounts'. ‌ Around 250 ICTS Central Search workers are also stuck in an on-going dispute due to understaffing, working conditions, and pay. These staff members worth with passengers directly in the security search area - meaning any strikes could spark long delays. Lastly, 100 workers at Swissport - the country's largest ground handler - are in dispute over 'working rotas and work-life balance, plus health and safety concerns'. A consultative ballot on a new offer has been made by Swissport to address the issues raised - which will conclude on Monday, July 14. "If this offer is rejected, Unite will move to open a full industrial action ballot," United the Union said. "Swissport made £17.6m in its latest recorded profits. ‌ On the flip side, a dispute involving 300 Menzies Aviation workers - which the Mirror reported about here - has now been resolved. It comes after the union negotiated a deal which establishes a four per cent minimum increase in pay for new starters, and up to 10 per cent for workers depending on their grades. 50 Falck firefighters who perform fire safety functions at the airport have also come to an agreement after being offered a basic wage increase of 4.5 per cent. "Employers at Glasgow Airport will not get away with underpaying or mistreating Unite's members," Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said in a statement. "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." ‌ Last year, it was reported that Glasgow Airport handled a whopping 8,067,685 passengers in 2024 - a 9.63 per cent spike compared to the year before. The hub flies to 82 destinations in 28 different countries, and offers 20 domestic flights. If workers at all three companies go ahead with their vow to strike - it's clear the school holiday season will quickly turn into chaos. A spokesman for Glasgow Airport told the Mirror: "We are reviewing the ballot results and remain open to finding a sensible resolution." Similarly, 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." Do you have a story to share? Email us at yourmirror@ for a chance to be featured.

Busy UK tunnel on the verge of tolls to plug huge £820k funding gap
Busy UK tunnel on the verge of tolls to plug huge £820k funding gap

Daily Mirror

time44 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Busy UK tunnel on the verge of tolls to plug huge £820k funding gap

Debate has broken out following proposals to charge UK motorists for driving through a 61-year-old tunnel that attracts 25 million drivers, cyclists and pedestrians every year Brits could soon face charges for driving through a major UK tunnel in a controversial move that has been branded 'outrageous'. The Clyde Tunnel, which connects north-west and south-west Glasgow has long been a crucial part of the city's transport infrastructure since fully opening back in 1964. Estimated to have cost £10.5 million to build, the two-way tunnels - which are both 762 metres long - were only expected to handle around 9,000 cars every day. ‌ Today, they attract more than 25 million vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians each year. However, Glasgow City Council is now facing a yearly shortfall of around £820,000 for managing the road, due to it requiring regular maintenance and repairs. ‌ At a recent council meeting, Cllr Angus Millar, the convenor for climate, Glasgow Green Deal, transport and city centre recovery, said the council was continuing its talks with Transport Scotland * and local government body Cosla to discuss the upkeep of Clyde Tunnel. "The council has no specific proposals to introduce any road user charging in Glasgow," he said. "However, members will be aware that the council has repeatedly stated its interest in further exploring possibilities around a boundary congestion charge and potential tolling at the Clyde Tunnel. Both [would] exempt Glasgow residents." ‌ According to The Times, Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney argued it isn't 'sustainable' for Glasgow City Council to continue maintaining the tunnel without raising additional funds to cover the cost - which accounts for around 10 per cent of the city's entire annual road maintenance budget. "Over the past decade, Glasgow city council has lost the equivalent of a full year's worth of funding as a result of disproportionate SNP cuts to Glasgow, compounded by the constrained council boundary, meaning that many of the region's most prosperous households do not contribute to the city's tax base," he added. The politician concluded that a toll for vehicles using the tunnel who aren't registered within the Glasgow boundary is therefore a 'reasonable proposal in line with European norms'. However, other MSPs have slammed the proposals - arguing it would 'punish' workers, families and patients travelling to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. ‌ "Many of the hospital's dedicated staff commute from outside the city, and this charge would clobber them simply for driving to work," said Annie Wells, a Scottish Conservative MSP for Glasgow. She branded the move 'outrageous' - scathing the council for even 'considering' plugging the funding gap through a traveller toll. It is unlikely that any form of toll would be introduced until after the Scottish Parliament elections next year. No specific details on how much UK motorists would be charged for using the tunnel have been announced. *The tunnel is not a designated A road meaning Transport Scotland does not have responsibility for its management.

Unison members accept two-year council pay deal
Unison members accept two-year council pay deal

South Wales Guardian

time6 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Unison members accept two-year council pay deal

Cosla offered staff an increase of 4% this year and 3.5% next year, with 83% of Unison members voting in a ballot to accept the offer. Unison Scotland's local government committee chairwoman Suzanne Gens said: 'This pay deal is a crucial step in turning round cuts to council staff pay. 'It gives local government workers some financial security now they know their pay will be higher than inflation over the next couple of years. 'This has only been achieved because of the determination of council workers to demand better.' The union's co-lead for local government David O'Connor said there was 'no room for complacency', despite the offer being accepted. 'Local government has suffered over a decade of cuts,' he added. 'This pay deal shows what can be done when people stand together. Our campaign to protect council services continues.' Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison welcomed the news, urging other unions to also accept the offer. 'I am delighted that Unison members have voted to accept this improved pay offer, which will see valued local government workers receive pay increases of 4% in 2025-26 and 3.5% in 2026-27,' she said. 'Although the Scottish Government has no formal role in local government pay negotiations, we recognise the importance of an agreement being reached by Cosla – as the employer – and trade unions. 'I would urge members of Unite and GMB to join Unison members in recognising the clear benefit of this offer so that all workers can get the pay they deserve without delay.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store