Strike grounds flights in Dundee with more Scottish airports set to close in dispute over pay | UK News
Flights have been suspended at Dundee Airport due to strike action amid a dispute over wages.
More than 120 members of the Unite union are protesting the Highlands and Islands Airport Company Limited (HIAL).
Participating workers include security personnel, baggage handlers, ground staff, and those involved in firefighting, rescue and management.
As with Friday, Dundee will close flights again on Monday due to further industrial activity.
The airport handles about 20,000 passengers a year.
Walks will take place across all 11 HIAL airports this month.
Barra, Benbecula, Stornoway, Sumburgh and Tiree airports will close flights on February 21, 22 and 23.
Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay and Wick John O’Groats are expected to resume normal operations during the same period.
At Kirkwall, opening hours will be limited from 7:15 a.m. to 13:00 for inter-island flights only.
Unite predicts the move will affect services ranging from mail not being delivered to overseas workers unable to go to work or return home.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, stated: “Let’s be clear the source of this dispute is that the airport management and the Scottish government have shown a lack of flexibility in paying these workers what they deserve it.
“Unite will fully support our members in their struggle for better jobs, wages and conditions across the Highlands and Islands.”
Shauna Wright, Unite industry official, added: “Unite’s industrial action will now cause widespread disruption.
“Local communities, workers and businesses should criticize the Scottish government for ignoring these important workers and allowing this dispute to escalate to the point where airports will have to close completely.”
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HIAL, a private limited liability company, is wholly owned by the Scottish government.
Unite members turned down an offer of 5% pay last year.
Earlier this week, members of the second union at HIAL also voted in favor of industrial action.
The prospect’s ballot was attended by firefighters and security personnel.
Inglis Lyon, chief executive officer of HIAL, apologized for the service disruption and urged those intending to travel on the day of the strike to contact their airline.
He added: “The enhanced incentive we offer maximizes the flexibility of the Scottish government’s pay policy.
“However, we are still in dialogue with Transport Scotland [and] unions in an attempt to solve the problem.”
