Local Air Traffic Control jobs retained as Prospect members endorse HIAL proposals

Prospect members at Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) have voted to accept revised plans that retain jobs locally at on-site air traffic control (ATC) towers.

In January, after a strong campaign by Prospect members and local communities, the HIAL Board agreed a revised strategic direction for that removed proposals to relocate Air Traffic Control (ATC) jobs to a remote tower in Inverness.

The ballot result is the conclusion of a successful campaign that represents a major win for workers, with high value jobs kept in remote communities and the future of these essential airports safeguarded. This also includes the development of a centralised surveillance operation for Sumburgh, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Inverness, and Dundee airports, based at Inverness. The negotiated proposals also include a review of air traffic service delivery in the next five years that takes into account the sustainability of the model, staff recruitment, retention and training, and the impact on local communities.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect said:

“This shows what unions can achieve when working with local communities to safeguard the future of essential local services. Throughout this process, we have engaged constructively with HIAL and are pleased to have reached an agreement that protects these highly-skilled jobs in rural communities and ensures the future of a vital transport network for local people.”