Airport strike action averted after union secures deal in pay dispute
Unite the union had warned of the potential for a summer of travel disruption if a deal was not secured.
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Your support makes all the difference.Summer strike action at Edinburgh Airport has been averted after workers accepted a pay deal.
Unite the union said 96% of workers backed the deal which will deliver a 12% increase on basic salary and shift pay along with a one-off cash payment of £1,000.
The union had warned that passengers could face a summer of travel chaos after members last month backed strike action in the dispute over pay.
The workers involved deal with passengers directly in airport security, terminal operations, search areas and processing people for flights, while those set to receive the pay increase also screen all deliveries and deal with airside support services.
A 12% rise along with a £1,000 cash payment really is an excellent result, which will benefit hundreds of workers at the airport
Carrie Binnie, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite always wanted to resolve this dispute at Edinburgh Airport through negotiations but our members were prepared to take strike action in order to secure a better wage increase.
“A 12% rise along with a £1,000 cash payment really is an excellent result, which will benefit hundreds of workers at the airport.”
It comes after Unite on Monday announced that about 100 members working at Glasgow Airport Ltd have secured a rise worth up to 11%.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite just keeps on delivering for our members across Scottish airports.
“This is another great deal for our members, this time at Edinburgh Airport.
“The message is clear to all airport workers, if you want better jobs, pay, and conditions then join Unite.”
We are glad to reach a conclusion that benefits (our teams) as well as our passengers
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We are pleased that our significant offer has been accepted by unions.
“This is a substantial pay rise and we want to get payments to our team as quickly as possible.
“They make an essential contribution to the airport and we know this has been a concerning time for them, so we are glad to reach a conclusion that benefits them as well as our passengers who are looking forward to their hard-earned holidays.”