MORE strike dates have been announced at Glasgow Airport across the summer after a new pay offer for staff was rejected.

Unite the union has today (June 29) confirmed a new pay and pension offer by airport bosses has been turned down following a membership ballot.

In a ballot turnout of 85.2 per cent, the offer was rejected by 81 per cent as 81 per cent also voted to continue with the dispute. 

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New dates have now been announced over the coming weeks following the result. 

However, Unite confirmed the scheduled action on Sunday, June 30 between 5pm and 9pm will be suspended as a gesture of goodwill and respect; the date is the anniversary of the terrorist attack at Glasgow Airport in 2007. 

Unite said it has repeated its concerns over airport security following media revelations last weekend, which highlighted breaches in airport security being linked to contingency staff brought in during strike action at Aberdeen and Glasgow Airports. 

The strike action undertaken by Unite’s membership involves airport security officers, airport fire safety, airfield operations officers, and engineering technicians. 

Full scheduled strike dates for Glasgow Airport:

  • Wednesday, July 3 - between 8 am and 12 noon
  • Friday, July 5 - between 9.30 am and 1.30 pm
  • Thursday, July 11 - between 1.30 pm and 5.30 pm
  • Friday, July 12 - between 5.30 am and 9.30 am
  • Saturday, July 13 - between 7 am and 11 am
  • Sunday, July 14 - between 4pm and 8pm
  • Monday, July 15- between 5.30 am and 9.30 am

Pat McIlvogue, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “Unite members took a democratic decision to overwhelmingly reject the latest pay and pension offer by Glasgow Airport. The reality is that minimal progress has been made following our discussions with airport management. This is why our members have voted to continue with the dispute. 

“Unite fully appreciates the inconvenience this action is causing the travelling public. But, we hope the public understand the bigger issue here is the attack on our members’ deferred pay through the closure of their pension scheme, and a pay offer which doesn’t even get close to matching the pay rises and the bonuses the boardroom receives.

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“We have announced a number of days of action starting on July 3. This period will give Glasgow Airport the opportunity to come back to us with a new deal which can be put to the membership so that we can bring about a positive conclusion to this dispute. 

“The ball is in their court.”   

Mark Johnston, managing director of Glasgow Airport, slammed the move and said “once again, Unite has demonstrated a complete disregard for the travelling public.”

He added: “By issuing further strike dates, they are sending a clear message they are more focused on trying to cause disruption for passengers during the busy summer period rather than engaging in meaningful talks.

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“We have offered a three per cent pay rise for 2019 and a guaranteed three per cent next year. This would represent four years in a row a pay rise of three per cent has been offered, so their claims we are attacking pay are laughable. 

“The remaining members of the final salary pension scheme will move into one of the UK’s leading defined contribution pension schemes with employer contributions of up to 16 per cent. The UK average is 3.2 per cent. 

“We have not, and will not, allow Unite to cause disruption for our passengers. We will continue to implement our full contingency plans during the new strike dates to ensure passengers are in no way impacted by their actions.”