Glasgow and Aberdeen airport strikes: Thousands face flight disruption

Workers at two of Scotland's biggest airports will go on strike at the same time amid a dispute over pay.

Workers are set to go on strike at Glasgow Airport

Unite the union has announced its members will take industrial action at the Glasgow and Aberdeen terminals on 7 and 10 June between 4am and 4pm.

The move follows a breakdown in talks about pensions and pay with owners AGS Airports.

Unite regional industrial officer Shauna Wright said: "Unite members at Aberdeen Airport will join those at Glasgow Airport taking industrial action to fight against this co-ordinated attack by AGS on our members' pension scheme.

"We have repeatedly warned AGS that if they do not keep to the agreements they made with us then industrial action would be inevitable.

"Let's not forget that this attack comes despite Aberdeen Airport having enjoyed a near doubling of their profits.

"Industrial action is now set for June and further dates will be forthcoming, causing widespread disruption during the summer period due to the broken promises of AGS."

Those taking part in the action include firefighters, taxi marshals and airfield operations workers.

Unite regional industrial officer Pat McIlvogue said: "The company are insistent upon abolishing a scheme they agreed to only three years ago while the boardroom enjoys pre-tax profits of £91 million.

"Our members deserve better. So this is not about saving money, it is about attacking our members' terms and conditions.

"Industrial action is now set for the summer period and the blame for that lies fully with Glasgow Airport."

The pay rise offer was increased from 1.3 per cent to 3 per cent, in line with union demands, but negotiations ended early when the firm failed to maintain a pension scheme agreed in 2016.

AGS Airports described the position as "unaffordable" as the cost to the company is due to rise by 24.7 per cent per employee.

Aberdeen Airport's after-tax profits increased from £10.7 million in 2016 to £19.1m in 2017, while Glasgow posted a £74m profit after tax in 2017, up from £51m in 2016.

An AGS Airports spokesman said: "We are extremely disappointed that the trade unions have served notice of industrial action.

"We have been in talks since January and, despite attending Acas, there has been no willingness whatsoever on the part of the unions to engage in a constructive negotiation.

"As always, we remain open to continuing dialogue, however, we will now put our robust contingency plans in place to ensure it will be business as usual at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports for our passengers and airlines on both Friday 7 June and Monday 10 June."