Dundee to Stansted flights suspended amid strike

HIAL reported business as usual at 10 of its 11 airports today, with only scheduled services between Dundee and Stansted affected.
Picture: PA — HIAL reported business as usual at 10 of its 11 airports today, with only scheduled services between Dundee and Stansted affected. Picture: PA

About 120 workers with AMSL, a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), are taking part in a 48-hour strike due to end at noon tomorrow.

The Prospect union says management have failed to agree equal wages, holidays and sick pay for staff in the six years since HIAL brought security in-house.

HIAL reported business as usual at 10 of its 11 airports today, with only scheduled services between Dundee and Stansted affected.

The company called on Prospect to return to the negotiating table.

Managing director Inglis Lyon said: “Both sides showed a willingness last week to enter into discussions and I believe that Prospect would better serve the interests of its members by suspending the strike action and resuming a constructive dialogue.

“Neither side favours a protracted dispute. With that in mind, I would urge Prospect to take stock, suspend the strike and allow discussions to restart. I believe we can make progress.

“Prolonged industrial action is not in anyone’s interests, least of all our passengers, the many businesses and jobs that rely on our airports and the airport workers affected by the industrial action.”

HIAL is owned by Scottish ministers and operates airports in Inverness, Dundee, Campbeltown, Islay, Tiree, Barra, Benbecula, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Wick.

The company said AMSL staff have enjoyed a 30% rise in basic pay over six years and are benefiting from a new pension scheme.

During the industrial action it has advised passengers to arrive 15-20 minutes earlier than usual for their flight and to limit the amount of hand or check-in luggage they take to the airport.

Prospect national secretary Alan Denney said: “Prospect’s position has always been that it stands ready to discuss the terms of any formal written offer.

“However, it appears this is simply another offer of talks about talks. We’ve been doing that on and off for six years now.

“Without an offer we will not be suspending the strike and resuming talks.”

The union said that when the strike action ends tomorrow members will begin a work to contract, including an overtime ban.