Since last Friday, February 17th, Scottish airports have been facing disruptions, including flight delays and cancellations. Unite union members have called for strike actions to protest against Highlands and Islands Airport Limited pay conditions. The series of strikes will cause significant disruptions to offshore workers and mail services.
Several Scottish airports hit by strike actions
On February 17th, all flights scheduled to depart and arrive at Dundee airport were canceled, the reason being a strike action by 120 Unite union members over the pay condition set by their employer, the Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL).
Among the workers that took part in the strike were security staff, baggage handlers, ground staff, and people working in the fire and rescue administration. Given the fundamental nature of the roles played by those taking part in the strike, the management of Dundee airport was forced to suspend any activity at the airfield for security and safety reasons. The strike is also set to take place on Monday, February 20th.
With its 20,000 yearly passengers, Dundee Airport is the largest airport impacted by the strikes against Highlands and Islands Airport Limited, but not the only one. Indeed, walkouts are also planned at 11 other Scottish airports, among which one finds Barra, Benbecula, Stornoway, Sumburgh, and Tiree airports, where strikes are scheduled to take place on February 21st, 22nd and 23rd. HIAL has confirmed that, over the same days, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, and Wick John O'Groats are expected to be operative as normal. At Kirkwall, operations will be restricted from 7:15 to 13:00 and for inter-islands flights only.
The voice of the workers
Strike actions are never easy to manage and are a big hassle for those affected. According to Unite union, the walkouts planned for February at the different Scottish airports will have significant consequences, including mail not being delivered and offshore workers not being able to travel back home.
Get the latest aviation news straight to your inbox: Sign up for our newsletters today.
Sharon Graham, Unite union general secretary, explained the rationale behind the strike action by mentioning the unfair pay condition of Highlands and Islands Airport Limited. Mrs. Graham explained how workers at several Scottish airports have to face an unacceptable inflexibility from part of the HIAL management and the Scottish government to the point that walkouts are considered the only solution to let their voice be heard. Shauna Wright, Unite union industrial officer, highlighted the significance of the strike actions, which will cause widespread disruption across Scotland. According to Mrs. Wright, all those affected by the walkouts should direct their fear at the Scottish government, which has been unable to listen to the voice of HIAL's employees, whose work is essential to Scotland's socio-economic needs.
The employer's view
Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL) is a private limited company wholly owned by the Scottish government. It is not the first time HIAL has had to face a dispute over pay, with Unite union members refusing a 5% pay offer last year.
HIAL is now dealing with the members of a second union, including firefighters and security staff, who also called for a strike earlier this week. The company's managing director, Inglis Lyon, has already apologized for any disruption caused to passengers and has invited all those holding a ticket for one of the dates on which strikes are planned to contact the airlines to verify the regularity of the service. According to Mr. Lyon, the company's last pay proposal already maximized the flexibility offered by the Scottish government's pay policy. However, the managing director ensured HIAL would continue its dialogue with Transport Scotland and the trade unions to resolve the matter as soon as possible.