Union rejects proposals to axe more than 100 airport jobs

A union has rejected proposals by a security company at two Scottish airports which plans to cut jobs.

ICTS Security at Aberdeen Airport said it will cut its workforce by up to 34 jobs out of 95.

The same company also stated it would seek to cut 84 jobs at Glasgow Airport, which is around 40% of the workforce.

Unite the union has reacted to the proposals by ICTS Security by pledging to do “everything possible” to stave off compulsory redundancies.

Unite has an ongoing campaign to ‘Save Scotland’s Airports’ following a Fraser of Allander report conducted on behalf of Unite, which estimates 2330 direct and indirect job losses in civil aviation with an overall economic loss of around £140m to the Scottish economy after accounting for knock-on effects.

Last year Unite was in dispute with Glasgow Airport in response to the proposal to transfer 250 workers to ICTS (UK) which operates airport security functions, and Falck who perform fire safety functions under amended TUPE regulations. The workforce transferred to ICTS Security on December 17, 2019.

Pat McIlvogue, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “The proposal by ICTS Security is another devastating blow to the nation’s civil aviation industry.

“Last year the workforce was outsourced to ICTS which we were vehemently opposed to.

“However, Unite is working hard to bring forward proposals which will mitigate any compulsory redundancies but the reality is we need government support to achieve this.

“We are faced with around 800 jobs being lost at Glasgow Airport, and thousands more across Scotland, which is why we need targeted support or as we have repeatedly stated Scotland’s civil aviation industry is on the brink of collapse.”