Unite the union said yesterday (23 April) that its membership at Aberdeen Airport have voted for strike action over a pay claim for 2019, and following proposals to close the final salary pension scheme.
Members supported strike action by 88.3 per cent on a 79.5 per cent turnout. The airport is part of AGS Airports Limited group, which also owns Glasgow and Southampton airports, with all three airports being subject to the pension proposal.
Around 242 workers employed by AGS Airports were balloted, with employees coming from every section of the airport, including security and fire service.
In January 2019, the union said Aberdeen airport issued a 60-day consultation on closing the defined benefit pension scheme which broke an Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) agreement made in 2016 to keep the scheme open to existing members.
Unite said progress has been made through Acas with AGS Airports tabling a pay offer of three per cent for Aberdeen International and Glasgow airports.
No agreement has been reached on the proposals regarding the pension scheme with the consultation, which was originally scheduled to close on 14 April, now extended to accommodate further discussions.
Unite regional industrial officer, Shauna Wright said: “After this resounding result in favour of strike action at Aberdeen airport, AGS should be left in no doubt about the strength of feeling among Unite members.
“We recognise the movement on pay by AGS, but the sticking point remains the attack on our members’ pension scheme.
“Talks through Acas are ongoing and Unite, once again, encourages the company to use this period constructively to find an agreeable resolution to this dispute.
“But, if the company don’t, then they know that our members are prepared to fight to protect their hard-earned pensions through strike action or action short of strike during the busy holiday season.”
