Strike set to close airport in dispute over fair pay

Airport staff are to hold a one-day strike this month in a dispute over pay, which they said would ground all flights.

Prospect union members at Dundee airport want their pay to be harmonised with other workers at Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial), claiming they are not paid as much.

Members, who include firefighters, air traffic control and aircraft fuelling staff, have voted unanimously to take industrial action, following a ballot.

They will hold a 24-hour strike on Monday 30 April, which they claim will shut the airport. This will immediately be followed by a work-to-rule, including an overtime ban.

The union said this would affect late-running aircraft unable to reach the airport by its normal 10pm closing time, as firefighting crews and air traffic staff would not be available.

National secretary Alan Denney said: “Prospect members are always reluctant to take industrial action, but feel they have no option but to do so in the pursuit of their objective – fairness.

“I hope Hial return to the negotiations in the hope that, even at this late hour, a resolution to the dispute can be agreed.”

Prospect and Hial are meeting the conciliation service Acas on Tuesday at Inverness airport for talks on how to end the dispute.

Hial operates 11 airports, which also include Inverness, Islay and Stornoway. A spokesman said: “We are disappointed at the union’s decision, which we do not believe is in the best interests of Dundee airport or the regional economy, particularly at a time of rising operational costs, declining revenues and against the backdrop of a public-sector pay freeze.

“However, we remain open to holding further talks with the union in order to resolve the situation, and prevent this unnecessary disruption for our passengers and airlines.”