Inverness airport strike set to go ahead after talks fail
A strike by Inverness airport security workers will go ahead next week after talks ended without a deal being struck.
Prospect union members at 11 airports operated by Highlands and Islands Airports (HIA) will walk out for 48 hours, starting at noon on Tuesday, in a dispute over pay and conditions. They will then begin a work-to-rule, including an overtime ban and a ban on rest day working.
HIA said that although there had been some progress during the two-day discussions, the union had presented an "unreasonable" deadline to consider the issues with the Scottish government.
Prospect, meanwhile, said the inability of the company or government to find a way to settle the issues meant that industrial action was inevitable.
In a bid to minimise disruption for air passengers, the company has drawn up contingency plans, including drafting in volunteers from other parts of the company to carry out security checks.
Passengers are also being advised to arrive in good time and to travel light.
In a statement, HIA said: "Following detailed discussions with Prospect, we believe we have made some progress with the union, with both sides showing willingness to compromise.
"We now require some time, with our Transport Scotland colleagues, to consider the issues we have discussed with Prospect.
"In the meantime, as a sign of goodwill, we have requested that the union postpone industrial action until we are in a position to reply to them in detail, which is entirely within their gift.
"Unfortunately, the union has insisted on an immediate response to their requests and we are simply not able to provide this."
As a result, the union had confirmed it would go ahead with its planned striket.
The statement continued: "We regret that, having come this far and made reasonable progress in our discussions, the union has presented an entirely arbitrary and unreasonable deadline, to which we simply cannot accede.
"We apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused during the industrial action. We have been entirely reasonable throughout this process."
Although it intended to continue operating the 10 of its 11 airports as normal, Dundee would close during the strike.
"Passengers at all other airports should ensure they arrive in good time for their flight and limit the amount of hand or check in luggage they take to the airport," a spokeswoman said.
"Wherever possible, they should also limit the amount of liquids they carry or check in. These actions will help speed up the security process.
"Passengers should confirm the status of their flight with their airline before leaving for the airport."
Prospect union members employed by HIA subsidiary, Airport Management Services (AMS), are seeking a five per cent pay increase on basic pay.
They also want a deal to bring them in line with other HIA workers on overtime, weekend working and sick pay.
Union negotiator Alan Denney said: "Despite attempts to find a settlement to the dispute in AMS, the inability of the company or the Scottish government to find a way to settle this matter means that industrial action is inevitable."
This strike follows a ballot of members in which 87 per cent of members voted in favour of strike action on a turnout of 85 per cent.
Mr Denney said the timing is intended to minimise disruption for holiday travel.
The union represents more than 120 of AMS’s 160 workers covering eleven Scottish airports including Dundee, Inverness, Stornoway and Sumburgh.
