Union warns of World Cup strike action unless Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airport staff settle dispute

Fans travelling to this summer’s World Cup could face disruption after 900 airport workers across Scotland vote on industrial action in a dispute over pay.

Unite said several ballots would open this week over summer strike action in pay disputes with companies based at Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen airports.

The aviation trade union said that if the ballot is successful, strike action could start during the busiest period of the summer holidays, coinciding with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2 and the World Cup in the United States.

Four of the ballots will close on May 21, while ICTS staff at Aberdeen will have until May 28 to vote.

Staff from Edinburgh Airport Limited, including airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers, are also being balloted, as well as around 280 ground services crew employed by Menzies Aviation.

ICTS workers deal with passengers directly in security search areas and process them for flights, and also control access posts, cover mobile patrols and screen all deliveries.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Hundreds of workers across Scotland’s largest airports are heading towards summer strike action.

“The companies involved are all highly profitable. They can easily afford to give our members fair and reasonable pay offers, but have decided to put boosting profits before people.”

Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer, said: “Any strike action would ground planes and passengers during an expectedly busy period with the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.”

“The blame for this situation arising will lie entirely with these extremely wealthy companies. They can end these disputes immediately, and in doing so, they can give the travelling public peace of mind.”

A Glasgow Airport spokesperson said last week: “We are aware of ongoing talks between Unite and ICTS and are keen to ensure that this dialogue results in a positive resolution.”

A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “In a time of global uncertainty around aviation, we have proposed a deal that is well above what has been offered to many other workers in Scotland and is well above inflation. Pay for our colleagues has already increased by 24.6% cumulatively since 2023, outpacing inflation. Strike ballots from Unite and the accompanying publicity only add to that uncertainty.

“The above-inflation offer comes as the airport has seen an unplanned 142% increase in business rates, meaning an additional £8m of costs to cover.

“We are a successful business, but constant cost increases, be that imposed by the Scottish Government or through yearly above-inflation wage demands, are simply not tenable.

“Edinburgh Airport has always worked with unions to ensure fairness and equity and has a proven track record of collaboration and consensus. We remain open to negotiating in good faith with our unions, ballot or not.”