Glasgow Airport staff vote for industrial action

Unite members at Glasgow Airport have voted in favour of a 24-hour strike after being balloted on action over pay and pensions.

The union said 95% of members voted for industrial action, which will start at 4am on April 16.

About 500 workers will walk out.

Unite said its members will also enforce an overtime ban, beginning in mid-April and running until mid-October.

The vote follows a pay offer of 1.8%, which was rejected. Management also said it plans to close the workers’ final salary pension scheme.

Workers at Aberdeen Airport are also considering industrial action.

Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association president Ken McLeod said strike action at Glasgow and the threat of action at Aberdeen ‘will just drive those passengers to Edinburgh who will happily soak up the extra business’. 

"The ballot by Glasgow Airport staff in favour of taking strike action, along with an overtime ban between May and October, isn’t good news for the travel trade, or the travelling public," McLeod said.

"With uncertainty over the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, customers are naturally hesitant to commit to holiday dates that many feel will be impacted by whatever outcome is finally agreed."