Friday May 22nd 2026
Edinburgh Airport
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Unite has confirmed that nearly 700 workers are set for summer strike action in pay disputes with companies based at Edinburgh, and Glasgow airports.
Around 370 workers employed by Edinburgh Airport Limited at the capital’s airport backed strike action over a pay dispute. In Glasgow around 320 workers employed by ICTS and Menzies Aviation are also set to strike after a majority of workers in ballots backed industrial action after the rejection of unacceptable pay offers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham 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.”
Unite will announce strike dates in the coming days with industrial action expected to occur during the peak of the summer holiday rush coinciding with the World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow.
A ballot involving approximately 70 ICTS members based at Aberdeen airport in a dispute over a further unacceptable pay offer will close on 28 May.
Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer, said: “Strike dates will be set in the coming days. Strikes will severely disrupt planes and passengers during an extremely busy period with the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and summer holidays.
“The companies need to reflect on their workers’ anger and frustration shown by the willingness to take strike action and get back round the table with improved pay offers.”
Following the union announcing a ballot for strike action earlier in the month, an Edinburgh Airport spokesperson said;
“In a time of global uncertainty around aviation, we have proposed a deal that is well above what has been offered to many other workers in Scotland and is well above inflation. Pay for our colleagues has already increased by 24.6% cumulatively since 2023, outpacing inflation. Strike ballots from Unite and the accompanying publicity only add to that uncertainty.
“The above-inflation offer comes as the airport has seen an unplanned 142% increase in business rates, meaning an additional £8 million of costs to cover. We are a successful business but constant cost increases, be that imposed by the Scottish Government or through yearly above-inflation wage demands are simply not tenable.
“Edinburgh Airport has always worked with unions to ensure fairness and equity and has a proven track record of collaboration and consensus. We remain open to negotiating in good faith with our unions, ballot or not.”
A spokesperson from Menzies Aviation added:
“We are aware of potential industrial action at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports relating to a pay dispute. Discussions are ongoing and we are proactively working towards an outcome that is fair and workable for all parties, while recognising the challenging operating environment caused by the Middle East conflict.
“Pay at both locations has consistently increased above inflation since the Covid pandemic, and our current proposal again exceeds inflation and aligns with agreements the union has reached with other ground handlers at Edinburgh and Glasgow.
“Should industrial action take place, we have robust and proven contingency plans to minimise any potential disruption to our airline customers and their passengers, ensuring flights can operate as scheduled.”
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