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Glasgow airport strikes: When are they, why are staff striking and how will I be affected?

Walk-outs earlier this month resulted in “unbelievable queues”

Joanna Whitehead
Thursday 20 June 2019 05:43 EDT
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Passengers are advised to leave plenty of time to pass through security on strike days
Passengers are advised to leave plenty of time to pass through security on strike days (istock)

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Further industrial action at Glasgow Airport has been confirmed by staff members for the remainder of June.

The action follow similar walk-outs earlier this month that resulted in “unbelievable queues” at the Scottish airport.

Members of the Unite union will be striking, including airport security officers, airport fire safety, airfield operations officers and engineering technicians.

When are the strikes happening?

Strikes will be held on Friday 21 June from 8.30am to 2.30pm, Monday 24 June from 6am to 10am, Wednesday 26 June from 10am to 2pm, Friday 28 June from 9.30am to 1.30pm and Sunday 30 June from 5pm to 9pm.

Why are staff taking action?

Members of the Unite union are striking over pay and pensions.

According to Unite, the dispute concerns a pay claim and Glasgow Airport’s withdrawal from negotiations over a proposal to close its pension scheme to existing members. They claim that this broke an Acas agreement made in 2016 to keep the scheme open to existing members.

Pat McIlvogue, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “The industrial action will now roll into the summer holiday period with more days being added, and more to follow if AGS don’t get back round the negotiating table for meaningful discussions.

“Unite members have been left with no option but to defend their pension scheme and to fight for a fair pay increase. We hope the public understand that our members do not take this action lightly.”

Similar action occurred at the beginning of June at Aberdeen Airport. The dispute is between the AGS Airports group, which owns and operates Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports.

Glasgow Airport has been approached for comment.

How will I be affected?

Passengers are advised to check their flight status before departing for the airport and to allow plenty of extra time to pass through security.

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