Glasgow Airport strikes off as workers given pay rise before World Cup

Nearly 400 airport workers, represented by Unite and employed by ICTS and Menzies Aviation, have now accepted enhanced pay offers, having earlier rejected what the union branded “unacceptable” deals and voted for industrial action.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: "Hundreds of frontline workers at Glasgow airport have secured vastly improved pay deals.

"This is a direct result of the workers refusing to accept their employers’ pitiful pay offers and to fight for better pay which they successfully secured after the threat of strike action."

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The workers had previously voted in favour of industrial action.

Around 230 ICTS workers who process passengers in security search areas at Glasgow Airport have agreed to a two-year pay deal.

Under the terms, they will receive a 5% increase in basic pay and shift allowances backdated to January 1, along with a one-off bank holiday.

In 2027, pay will rise by the retail price index (RPI) rate of inflation plus 1%, with further improvements to terms and conditions from January 1.

A separate dispute involving approximately 160 Menzies Aviation employees has also been resolved.

These staff, including dispatchers, allocators, airside agents, and controllers, will receive a 4.4% rise backdated to January, followed by a minimum 5% increase from July 1, with some employees receiving up to 11.1%.

The Menzies deal is for one year.

Carrie Donoghue, industrial officer at Unite, said: "Unite is pleased to have delivered two pay deals covering Menzies Aviation and ICTS workers based at Glasgow airport.

"The resolution of these disputes removes the threat of strike action at Glasgow airport and ensures that no disruption happens during the extremely busy summer period."

We previously reported that nearly 700 airport workers at Glasgow and Edinburgh, including those employed by Edinburgh Airport Limited, have also supported industrial action over pay.

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Ms Graham previously said: "Workers across Scotland’s largest airports have overwhelmingly backed summer strike.

"This is a direct result of their very profitable employers’ refusal to make a fair pay offer.

"The workers have no other option and the blame for this situation lies entirely with wealthy companies choosing to boost profits before people."

In Glasgow, 170 ICTS workers and 150 Menzies Aviation staff were prepared to strike.