Latest news with #ICTS
Time Out
5 days ago
- Time Out
Glasgow Airport staff are going on strike this summer: full list of dates and airlines affected in July 2025
It wouldn't be summer holiday season without a bit of travel disruption. This year, strikes are already sweeping through Europe's airports, with walkouts in Spain, Italy and Germany causing headaches for holidaymakers. And the UK certainly isn't escaping from aviation-related industrial action this summer. Glasgow Airport is the next major British air travel hub that could next be impacted by strikes. Dozens of workers are planning to walk out later this month as part of action timed to coincide with one of the city's biggest holiday periods Planning on flying in or out of Glasgow in late July? Here's everything you need to know, so that you can plan ahead and avoid the worst of the strike action. When are the Glasgow Airport strikes this summer? The strike is set to run for 48 hours, kicking off at 6am on Wednesday July 24 and finishing at 5.59am on Friday July 26. The strike falls during Glasgow Fair fortnight, the city's long-standing July holiday when thousands of locals head off for their summer break. Why are Glasgow Airport staff striking? Short answer: money. Slightly longer answer: workers' current pay deal is up for negotiation, and airport bosses have apparently offered a 4 percent pay rise. Around 100 staff – including engineers, airside support officers and airport ambassadors – have said that's not good enough, with 98.7 percent voting to strike. Unite, the union representing the striking workers, says Glasgow Airport is offering the lowest pay rise of any employer on-site, despite being the most profitable. And they're accusing the company of ramping up the row instead of resolving it. As Unite's Pat McIlvogue put it: 'It is the only company escalating a dispute and they seem to be spoiling for a fight rather than trying to resolve the dispute.' Meanwhile, two other disputes at the airport are also bubbling away. Around 250 security workers (employed by ICTS) and 100 ground-handling staff (employed by Swissport) have been offered revised deals, which are now going to a new ballot. If those offers are rejected, further strikes could follow. Which airlines will be affected? No airlines have announced cancellations yet, and airport representatives say there are contingency plans in place to keep things running smoothly. If the strike goes ahead, any airline flying in or out of Glasgow could well be affected. If you're travelling during that period, potentially expect delays, longer queues, and slower turnarounds. Definitely bring a book (or two). Can I get compensation if a flight is affected by strikes? Probably not. Because the striking workers are employed by the airport – not the airlines – the disruption is likely to be classed as an 'extraordinary circumstance'. That means airlines aren't legally required to offer compensation under UK passenger rights rules. That said, airlines still owe customers a duty of care. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you should be offered a refund or an alternative flight, plus food, drinks and accommodation if you're stuck for a while. What have employers and Glasgow airport said about the strikes? Glasgow Airport says it is 'extremely disappointed' that strike notice has been served. A spokesperson for AGS Airports (which owns and operates the airport) said: 'We have been in talks with Unite since March during which time we have made several improved and fair offers against a backdrop of a challenging operating environment. 'We have tabled an offer of 4 percent, which represents an above-inflation pay increase. Despite reaching agreement with 80 percent of our staff across AGS Airports over pay, our offer has been rejected by 75 members of staff at Glasgow Airport who, through Unite, have informed us they wish to embark on strike action. 'We will now proceed with our contingency plans to ensure we minimise any disruption for our airlines and passengers.' The airport has also said it remains open to finding a 'sensible resolution'. Let's hope there's a fair offer in time for Fair fortnight.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Glasgow airport threatened by ‘significant' summer strike action
Airline passengers face a summer of discontent as trade unions across Europe stage walk-outs over a range of grievances. The Unite union today warned that hundreds of Glasgow airport workers are 'heading towards summer strike action' over unresolved disputes with three companies based at the airport. This week 98.7 per cent of Unite members employed directly by Glasgow Airport Ltd backed taking industrial action to secure a better pay offer than the four per cent the management recently offered. Their roles include airside support officers, engineers, managers and airport ambassadors. Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said: '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.' He told BBC Radio Scotland: 'It could have a significant impact that we're keen to avoid. "We don't want to disrupt the travelling public.' The Unite officer was more optimistic of a settlement for 250 central search officers working for ICTS. They 'remain in a live dispute over understaffing, working conditions and pay', he said. But an improved offer on basic pay, shift allowances and overtime rates is to be put to members in a consultative ballot. More than 100 Swissport ground staff, including baggage handlers, are in dispute over working rotas and work-life balance, plus health and safety concerns. The union says its members 'are struggling with chronic fatigue and understaffing'. Unite says: ' Swissport is demanding that workers at extremely short notice have to work shifts.' A ballot is in progress on an improved offer from Swissport. If it is rejected, Unite will open a full industrial action ballot. Even if strikes do go ahead, often the impact is limited as management step in to cover. The assumption is that all flights will be going ahead. A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: 'We are reviewing the ballot results and remain open to finding a sensible resolution.' A Swissport spokesperson 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.' The news broke as French air-traffic controllers begin a second day of walkouts. The aviation analytics firm Cirium says more than 1,300 flights to and from France have been cancelled, 124 of them from the UK. In addition, many 'overflights' passing through French airspace are being delayed or cancelled. In total Ryanair has cancelled 230 flights, affecting 40,000 passengers. Chief executive Michael O'Leary said 'a tiny number of French air traffic controllers' are engaging in 'recreational strikes'. Union members are walking out over staff shortages and a list of grievances from pay to plans for monitoring staff performance. Mr O'Leary said: 'Every year they find something new to strike about.' In addition, Finnair has cancelled 80 flights because of a strike by ground staff. Several UK-Helsinki trips are cancelled. Further industrial action is scheduled for 7, 16, 18, 21 and 23 July.
Rudaw Net
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Three suspected ISIS members killed in Kirkuk operation
Also in Iraq Three rockets target Kirkuk Iraq president appoints new Federal Supreme Court chief amid judicial turmoil Turkmen Front supporters block Erbil-Kirkuk highway over Kurdish appointment Kurdish, Iraqi forces kill 'three terrorist' in Kirkuk A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi counterterrorism forces said on Monday that three suspected Islamic State (ISIS) members were killed in a clash in Kirkuk province, a day after another operation in the province killed three militants. 'Our forces clashed with a group of terrorists in an area of Kirkuk governorate, the clashes resulted in the killing of three ISIS terrorist organization members,' Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS) said in a statement. It stressed that campaigns against ISIS remnants in the country are ongoing 'to eradicate the remains of the terrorist gangs.' In another operation in Kirkuk on Sunday, Kurdish and Iraqi security forces eliminated 'three terrorists,' including a senior commander, during a joint operation by the Sulaimani branch of the Kurdistan Region's Security Agency (Asayish) and ICTS. In a statement on its official Facebook page, the Asayish announced that, in coordination with the ICTS, they 'eliminated the battalion commander of Sulaiman Beg' - an area located east of Salahaddin province and south of Kirkuk - 'along with two affiliated terrorists during a direct confrontation.' Erbil and Baghdad have increased joint efforts to close security gaps between their territories, which have been exploited by extremist groups, including ISIS militants. In late June, another counterterrorism operation in Kirkuk led to the killing of two ISIS operatives. ISIS rose to power and seized swathes of Iraqi and Syrian land in a brazen offensive in 2014, declaring a so-called 'caliphate.' While the group was declared territorially defeated in Iraq and Syria in 2017 and 2019 respectively, it still continues to pose serious security risks through hit-and-run attacks, bombings, and abductions, especially across the vast expanses of the Syrian desert and several Iraqi provinces situated in a security vacuum between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region. Kirkuk province in particular has been a hotspot for ISIS activity, lying in a security vacuum exploited by militants to launch attacks on both civilians and members of the security forces. Despite the threats, Iraqi authorities stress that attacks by ISIS have largely simmered down.
Rudaw Net
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Kurdish, Iraqi forces eliminate ‘three terrorist' in Kirkuk
Also in Iraq Erbil, Baghdad edge toward oil export deal despite oil volume dispute: Sources Baghdad hotel venue for Arab Summit hit by fire Nearly 400 gazelles go missing in Diyala province reserve Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council approves top judge's retirement A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish and Iraqi security forces have eliminated 'three terrorists,' including a senior commander, during a joint operation in Kirkuk province, according to statements released on Sunday by the Sulaimani branch of the Kurdistan Region's Security Agency (Asayish) and Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS). In a statement on its official Facebook page, the Asayish announced that, in coordination with the ICTS, they 'eliminated the battalion commander of Sulaiman Beg' - an area located east of Salahaddin province and south of Kirkuk - 'along with two affiliated terrorists during a direct confrontation.' The operation was based on detailed intelligence as well as 'credible input from informants,' the Asayish added, noting that the Kurdish security forces and the ICTS were able to successfully 'locate the terrorists' hideout' and 'conduct a joint operation.' For its part, the ICTS said in a Sunday statement on X that they, in cooperation with the Kurdistan Region's Asayish, managed to successfully 'eliminate three terrorists in Kirkuk,' describing the operation as "a specialized, qualitative operation' that was 'based on accurate intelligence information." The statement further detailed that "after setting up a tight ambush following continuous surveillance, our heroes were able to kill three terrorists, two of whom held positions as sector commanders, and the third as a battalion commander in Kirkuk province." The ICTS confirmed the joint operation in a separate statement on X, describing it as a 'specialized, high-quality operation' carried out with 'accurate intelligence.' "After conducting continuous surveillance and setting a tight ambush, our forces succeeded in killing three terrorists," the ICTS said. "Two of them held positions as sector commanders, and the third was a battalion commander in Kirkuk province." Erbil and Baghdad have recently increased joint efforts to close security gaps between their territories, which have been exploited by extremist groups, including Islamic State (ISIS) militants.
The Independent
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Holidaymakers warned that airport strikes could disrupt summer getaways
Holidaymakers heading through Glasgow Airport this summer may face disruption as over 800 workers across five companies could strike over pay disputes. Unite the union has announced that staff at Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, Swissport, Menzies Aviation, and Falck may be balloted for industrial action. The union stated on Saturday that unless the disputes are resolved in the coming days, it will proceed with holding industrial action votes within two weeks. This could lead to potential walkouts during the peak summer travel season. It warned strikes could 'ground planes and passengers'. Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said walkouts could be held from the middle of July. More than 100 Swissport workers are locked in a dispute about rotas and work-life balance, according to Unite. 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'. Unite said some Swissport staff are 'struggling with chronic fatigue'. A further 250 ICTS Central Search workers, who deal with passengers directly in the security search area and process them for flights, are currently involved in a dispute over under-staffing, working conditions and pay. A total of 120 workers employed by Glasgow Airport Limited have rejected a basic 3.6% pay increase, with staff including airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers involved. The same 3.6% pay increase was rejected by 50 Falck firefighters who perform fire safety functions at the airport. Meanwhile 300 Menzies Aviation workers, including dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers, have rejected a basic uplift worth around 4.25%. The union recently announced a series of what it said were wage wins for 100 North Air workers across Scottish airports, and more than 140 staff based at Glasgow Airport employed by ABM and OCS. 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. '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.'
