STRIKES at two UK airports are “inevitable” this summer with walkouts expected later this month, a union has warned.
Airport workers have voted strongly in favour of walkouts, with as many as 300 staff members involved altogether.
5
5
5
ICTS Central Search Workers at Glasgow and Abderdeen have rejected a four per cent pay rise backdated to January and a £500 one-off payment and are now pressing ahead with plans for industrial action.
The staff members involved include those who deal with passengers directly in the security search areas.
They also cover mobile patrols, control access posts, screen all deliveries and deal with emergency services, so disruption would be expected, should the strikes take place.
Threats of strikes first emerged at both Glasgow and Aberdeen airports last month, amid claims of “fatigue, exhaustion and stress” among staff working “beyond six hours with no break”.
Read More on Travel Problems
And this morning (Tuesday, July 2), Scotland’s leading aviation union Unite has said those staff members have “emphatically backed” strike action.
As many as 98.5 per cent of workers at Glasgow Airport, involving around 200 staff members, voted in favour of the walkouts.
Meanwhile, a ballot involving around 100 workers at Aberdeen Airport returned a similar result, with 89.7 per cent backing the strikes.
Unite has said that unless there is “significant movement” by ICTS in the coming days strike action could start mid-July, at the peak of the summer holidays.
The union’s general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members employed by ICTS at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports will not tolerate low pay.
“ICTS is a very profitable company, yet it is refusing to make our members a fair pay offer.
“Unite will back our ICTS members every step of the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Last month a spokesperson from ICTS labelled their offer as “generous”, and added: “We’d like to reassure the public there will be no disruptions.”
Today, the company told Sun Travel: “Constructive pay talks with our staff at Glasgow and Aberdeen airports are ongoing.
“We would like to reassure the travelling public that their security is our priority and there will be no disruptions”
Pat McIlvogue, Unite’s lead industrial officer for aviation in Scotland, has called on the airports’ owners AGS to step in to help end the dispute, without the need for strikes.
He said: “ICTS has chosen to take this dispute to the point of strike action rather than act in a responsible way by negotiating a fair pay offer.
“Strike action is now inevitable because 300 ICTS workers at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports have been left with no choice but to fight for what they deserve.
“We are calling on AGS, the owner of the airports, to intervene in a final attempt to get ICTS to step back from the brink of a major dispute which will cause widespread disruption.
“Without these workers the airports simply can’t operate.”
Meanwhile, Jet2 has issued weather warnings for passengers, saying their flights to the Mediterranean could be disrupted this week.
And Air Traffic Control problems have also resulted in cancellations this summer.
Flight compensation rules
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
5