Strike action announced at Highlands and Islands Airport
Prospect has confirmed that firefighters and security staff across 10 airports are to take strike action during March in a dispute over pay.
The action comes after similar action by Unite members at HIAL in February, and will cause further disruption for rural communities across Scotland.
Prospect members rejected a 5% pay offer in October 2022, significantly below current inflation, and since then no substantive progress has been made by the employer or Scottish Government to resolve the dispute.
Several days of strike action will now take place across HIAL airports on the following dates:
8 and 9 March – Stornoway Airport, Sumburgh Airport
10 March – Barra Airport, Benbecula Airport, Campbeltown Airport, Islay Airport, Kirkwall Airport, Wick Airport
13 March – Dundee Airport, Inverness Airport, Islay Airport
17 March – Dundee Airport, Inverness Airport
Prospect has also notified the employer that Firefighters will be commencing action short of a strike after the strike actions ends on 17th March. This will include an overtime ban, a refusal to cover non -ambulance extensions and special openings, working to rosters and withdrawal of good will. Action short of a strike is likely to have a significant impact on normal operations across airports.
Jane Rose, Prospect Negotiation Officer, said:
“Our members in Fire and Security ensure airports across the highlands and islands operate safely and securely for the communities and businesses that they serve. They do not deserve the substantial real terms pay cut that is currently on offer.
“Members have resisted taking action for many months in the hope of avoiding disruption to their communities. However, we are in the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years and both HIAL and Scottish Government have completely failed to try and deliver a pay increase that properly addresses that. As such we have no option but to take this action.
“We are calling on Scottish Government to meet urgently with us and HIAL management to fund an improved pay offer and avoid causing further impact on the remote and rural communities of Scotland.”
