Glasgow Airport security staff balloted for industrial action amid 'summer holiday chaos'

Laura Ferguson

11 June 2024 at 5:58 am·2-min read

Hundreds of Glasgow Airport staff are to be balloted for industrial action ahead of the summer holidays amid a pay dispute.

Around 300 staff across Glasgow and Aberdeen airports rejected a pay offer from ICTS Central Search of four per cent backdated to January 2024, and a £500 one-off payment. Unite the Union confirmed is now had "no option" but to move towards initiating industrial action ballots for its members ahead of the summer holiday rush.

ICTS's team provides the security at Glasgow Airport, including passenger pre-board and cabin bag screening.

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.”

ICTS Central Search employ around 220 workers at Glasgow airport and around 100 workers at Aberdeen airport. The workers deal with passengers directly in the security search areas and process them for flights. The workers also cover mobile patrols, control access posts, screen all deliveries and deal with emergency services.

The parent group ICTS (UK) Limited recorded its latest annual accounts with Companies House in March 2024, which show profits of £3.2m in 2023 up from £2.3m in the previous year.

Last week, Unite warned of potential security risks at Glasgow airport involving ICTS Central Search workers due to understaffing and security staff being denied contractual breaks.

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The union is reporting growing incidents of fatigue, exhaustion, and stress due to staff working beyond six hours with no break. This constitutes a contractual breach, and a breach of the Working Time Regulations.

Pat McIlvogue, Unite’s lead industrial officer for the aviation sector in Scotland, said: “ICTS Central Search workers undertake safety and security critical tasks at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports. They deserve to be treated with respect.”

“There should be a pay offer on the table which reflects the importance of their jobs. Without these workers the airports simply can’t operate. We now have no option but to move towards balloting around 300 members for industrial action ahead of the summer holiday rush.”

An ICTS spokesperson said: “Constructive pay talks with our staff at Glasgow airport are ongoing. 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 2 years. We would like to reassure the travelling public that their security is our priority and there will be no disruptions."

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