Prestwick Airport workers have backed strike action in a dispute over a real terms pay cut.
Trade union Unite confirmed that by 78% on an 84% turnout, its members supported strike action, with the airport now set to face disruption in the coming weeks.
The action will start on 5 August and will continue over four weeks on every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The dispute centres on the refusal of Prestwick’s management to pay shift allowances and meet the Real Living Wage (£9.90) rate for new starters.
Unite represents more than 80 workers, including airport security, firefighters, airfield operators, ground crew, ground handling, cargo, customer services and cleaners.
The workers have demanded a significant wage increase, with inflation reaching a 40-year high at 11.7%. The last offer on the table for the workforce was between 4% and 6.5%.
Talks facilitated by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) involving both parties will reconvene on Thursday afternoon, in a last-ditch attempt to reach a deal that meets the aspirations of the workers before strike action occurs.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Prestwick Airport management have one last chance before their rock bottom pay offer results in strike action.
“The last offer was not only well below inflation, but it also proposes to pay new starters a rate lower than the real living wage.”
The airport was taken into public ownership in November 2013 after being purchased by the Scottish Government for £1.
A spokesperson for Glasgow Prestwick Airport responded: “We are extremely disappointed that Unite is continuing to pursue its threat of strike action - especially on the basis of just a small number of votes.
“Its confrontational approach jeopardises the fragile recovery of the airport following the pandemic and is denying the majority of our workforce a pay deal which will see 70% of our 300 employees receiving a pay increase of 6.5% or above, improvements to allowances, increased annual leave entitlement, enhanced sick pay provisions, and up to 2% more employer pension contributions.
“Less than one in five (18%) of our workforce voted in favour of strike action,“ the statement continued. “The majority of our workforce have already backed our pay offer, which will also see all qualified staff earn above the real living wage and are keen to see it implemented as soon as possible.
“Unlike most other airports, we directly appoint our staff, making us one of the biggest employers in Ayrshire.
“We urge Unite to reconsider their position, and work with us to realise our ambitions, which will have a positive impact on the local economy at a critical time for the region.”
Separately, Unite also confirmed that its members working at the Lerwick Port Authority have ended strike action, following a pay deal which boosts wages by up to 38%.
The dispute revolved around pay, pension contributions and work-life balance.
The deal will enhance the hourly wage for semi-skilled workers from £10.41 to £14 per hour, and for skilled workers from £11.62 to £16 per hour.
A new 12-month working rota has also been agreed, which aims to cut working hours and to support the work-life balance of Unite members with a reduction in hours worked.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This success has only come through the brave stance our members have taken, and their efforts have been rewarded with a deal which delivers better jobs, pay and conditions across the board.”
Around a dozen key workers - which includes engineers, electricians, joiners and general operatives - started a continuous ban on overtime on 25 May, and they have been on strike action since 20 June at the main port in the Shetland Islands.
Unite industrial officer John Clark added: “The average pay rise of approximately between 34% and 38% is a timely reminder that Unite will support workers who have been taken for granted over a number of years.
“The successful negotiations have ensured that our members are now brought into line with the national agreements within their respective trades."
Turnover at Lerwick Port Authority stood at £9.5m in 2020. The port recently completed a £30m upgrade scheme.
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