Travel chaos as hundreds of workers at Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports to strike this summer

Holidaymakers are being warned of severe disruption this summer as hundreds of workers at two of Scotland’s busiest airports are set to strike in a dispute over pay.

Unite the Union has confirmed that nearly 700 members will take industrial action at Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports during the peak season.

Dates of the walk-outs are still to be confirmed, but they are expected to take place during the summer holidays, World Cup and Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers across Scotland’s largest airports have overwhelmingly backed summer strike.

“This is a direct result of their very profitable employers’ refusal to make a fair pay offer.

“The workers have no other option and the blame for this situation lies entirely with wealthy companies choosing to boost profits before people.”

Unite says several organisations are impacted, including Edinburgh Airport Limited, Menzies Aviation and ICTS.

Around 370 of the workers in Edinburgh include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers.

Around 150 ground services crew employed by Menzies Aviation include dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers.

The ICTS workers at Glasgow Airport deal with passengers directly in the security search areas and process them for flights. Around 170 ICTS workers at the airport are also taking action.

Meanwhile, around 70 ICTS members based at Aberdeen Airport are currently balloting over strike action following what Unite described as an “unacceptable pay offer”.

Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer, said: “Strike dates will be set in the coming days.

“Strikes will severely disrupt planes and passengers during an extremely busy period with the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and summer holidays.

“The companies need to reflect on their workers’ anger and frustration shown by the willingness to take strike action and get back round the table with improved pay offers.”

A statement from Edinburgh Airport said: “Constructive talks on pay were held today with ACAS between Edinburgh Airport and its unions, including Unite.

“Further talks are planned for early next week.”

STV News has contacted Menzies Aviation and ICTS for comment.