Politicians aim to work together over Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd's (Hial) air traffic control plan to centralise air traffic control services for all of its bases into one centre in Inverness – a recent jobs summit organised by the Prospect union was well attended by MPs, MSPs and councillors, according to the organisers
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A jobs summit aimed at keeping air traffic control operations across the Highlands and Islands was well attended by MPs, MSPs and councillors, according to the organisers.
The Prospect union is fighting Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd’s (Hial) plans to centralise its air traffic control services for all of its bases into one centre in Inverness.
The politicians who attended the Highlands and Islands Jobs Summit, which was held on Thursday, represented all five of the major parties in Scotland as well as independents.
They were reportedly unanimous in their concern over Hial’s proposals for relocating jobs to Inverness and agreed to continue working together to secure the best possible outcome for the Highlands and Islands.
The group will continue to meet and will seek a collective meeting with Scottish Government ministers.
Prospect negotiations officer David Avery said: “The proposal to remove these highly skilled jobs from Highlands and Islands has united communities and politicians from all parties in opposition and that was reflected at this incredibly positive meeting.
“Prospect are extremely grateful to those who attended for the strength of feeling shown, it is clear that this is regarded as a major issue affecting the local economies of the Highlands and Islands.
“We will be seeking an early meeting with Scottish Government ministers to ask that they engage fully with the concerns about this project and seriously consider alternative proposals that would retain jobs in these communities whilst enhancing safety and resilience.”
A Hial spokesperson said: “Hial is aware of the ‘jobs summit’ arranged by Prospect and was not invited to take part.
“We would encourage Prospect, and all those who attended, to consider the proposals in front of them, including commuting, before considering any further escalation of the industrial action.”
Last month air traffic control union members staged a one-day strike over the proposals, which marked an escalation in their ongoing industrial action.
