Action by 'fed up' airport staff could hit Open

Airport security staff are to ballot for industrial action that could hit the Open golf championship next month.

Members of the Prospect trade union are in dispute over a pay offer from Airport Management Services, owned by Highlands and Islands Airports (HIA).

Union spokesman Alan Denney said action could take place in the week beginning 4 July, affecting airports at Inverness, Dundee and some islands. The Barclays Scottish Open will be held over 7-10 July at the Castle Stuart Golf Links near Inverness.

Prospect says all 160 security staff across ten Scottish airports have been offered a "miserly" 1 per cent increase to their current rates, which start at 6.85 an hour.

The union says members are denied sick or shift payments and overtime rates of pay.

Mr Denney said: "Security staff recognise that their industry is not well paid, but they are tired of being singled out for inferior treatment by their employer.

"Security staff have to work alongside other HIA staff who as a matter of course enjoy a decent wage, a pension scheme and sick and shift pay.

"It is incredible that the Scottish Government supports a living wage of 7.15 an hour but is content to allow many of its own staff to work for less without the basic working rights that are standard for any worker in the private or public sectors."

HAI is a public corporation owned by the Scottish Government. Mr Denney called for First Minister Alex Salmond to stop any plan to bring in "strike-breakers" from other airports.

He added: "Obviously we regret any inconvenience to visitors to the Scottish Open, but after waiting almost 12 months for their 2010 increase, security staff can wait no longer."