Glasgow Airport to be hit by summer strikes

Workers at Glasgow Airport are set to walk out in a dispute over pay.

Unite the union said around 100 of its members will go on strike for 48 hours from 6am on Thursday, July 24, until 6am on Saturday, July 26.

Staff include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers, and managers.

Last week, 98.7% of Unite members at Glasgow Airport voted in favour of industrial action after rejecting a 4% pay rise.

The union says it has made repeated attempts to restart negotiations with management but has been told no new pay offer will be made.

“Summer strike action is now inevitable unless Glasgow Airport’s new owners come to their senses,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.

Glasgow Airport is owned by AGS Airports, which was bought by AviAlliance, a subsidiary of PSP Investments, in a £1.53bn deal in January.

A spokesperson for AGS Airports, which owns and manages Glasgow Airport, said: “We are extremely disappointed with Unite’s decision to serve notice of industrial action. We have been in talks with Unite since March during which time we have made several improved and fair offers against a backdrop of a challenging operating environment.

“We have tabled an offer of 4%, which represents an above-inflation pay increase. Despite reaching agreement with 80% of our staff across AGS Airports over pay, our offer has been rejected by 75 members of staff at Glasgow Airport who, through Unite, have informed us they wish to embark on strike action.

“We will now proceed with our contingency plans to ensure we minimise any disruption for our airlines and passengers.”

Separately, more than 100 Swissport workers remain in dispute over conditions. A consultative ballot on a new offer closes on July 14. If rejected, Unite said it will launch a full industrial action ballot.