Airport warning with hundreds of staff 'walking out' before summer holidays

A UK airport strike warning has been issued with hundreds of staff members threatening walkouts ahead of summer holidays. Union chiefs say around 300 workers could walk out in a bitter dispute over pay, with the summer holidays just around the corner.

Staff at Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports have threatened to walk out this summer. Security staff have complained of being overworked and understaffed. The strikes could coincide with the school summer holidays this year.

The walkout threats have arisen amid claims of "fatigue, exhaustion and stress" among staff working "beyond six hours with no break". Staff have rejected a four per cent rise backdated to January and a £500 one-off payment.

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Unite described the offer by bosses ICTS Central Search Workers as "miserable". Pat McIlvogue, the union's lead industrial officer for Scotland's aviation sector, said: "ICTS Central Search workers undertake safety and security critical tasks. Without them, the airports simply can't operate.

"We've no option but to move towards balloting for action ahead of the holiday rush." A spokesman called its offer "generous", adding: "We'd like to reassure the public there will be no disruptions." Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers at Aberdeen and Glasgow Airports have emphatically rejected ICTS’ miserable pay offer.

"The company is extremely profitable, and it can easily afford to make a far better offer to our members. Unite will fully back our ICTS Central Search members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.” The staff members are due to vote on the strikes soon after rejecting a pay offer.

A spokesperson for ICTS Central Search said pay talks were ongoing. They said: "Generous pay proposals have been tabled that would give staff a minimum of 4% increase as well as a lump sum payment. This is in addition to the 15-28% increases our staff have received over the last two years.

"We would like to reassure the travelling public that their security is our priority and there will be no disruptions.”