FURTHER strikes at Highlands and Islands Airports may be averted after management said yesterday that they are willing to “address the concerns of security staff”.
A 48-hour strike last week grounded the scheduled service between Dundee and Stansted and further stoppages were planned, raising fears that the dispute would harm the Highland economy at the start of the tourist season.
However, yesterday managers at Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) said they would make a formal offer which it was hoped would “provide the basis for a meaningful, constructive dialogue”.
The long running dispute involves Prospect members working in Hial’s security company subsidiary Airport Management Services Ltd (AMSL), which provides security at 11 terminals including Dundee, Inverness, Stornoway and Sumburgh.
The union claims that in the six years since Hial brought security in-house, management has failed to agree equal pay, holidays, and sick pay for AMSL’s airport security workers
Hial MD Inglis Lyon said yesterday that it was important the dispute was resolved as quickly as possible.
“The threat of further industrial action is in no one’s interests, particularly as we approach the busy summer season. We hope the union will set aside talk of further strike action and work with us to reach agreement.
“It has always been the intention of the company to address the concerns of security staff, but it is impossible to do so under the threat of industrial action. Given that the 48-hour strike has now passed, without causing major disruption for passengers, we are now in a position to resume discussion.
“We will submit a formal offer to the union this week which we hope will provide the basis for a meaningful, constructive dialogue.”
The move was welcomed by Prospect national secretary Alan Denney, although he warned that further strike action was still a possibility.
“We are pleased that management has made progress in formulating a response to our claim following last week’s 48-hour strike by members,” he said.
“We look forward to receiving a written offer and entering into a constructive dialogue with Hial on the basis of this. We hope this will lead to a swift resolution of our dispute.
“The legal mandate for further strike action remains, but if Hial makes a reasonable offer which addresses our objective of securing equal treatment for AMSL workers, we should not need to exercise that option.”
Business leaders have voiced their concern about further industrial action.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’m concerned about the impact of these strikes on the Highland economy.
“We’re more reliant on these air routes than other parts of the UK and I think the message that’s going out with industrial action is not helpful.
“It’s just at the start of the tourist season and it’s putting out the wrong message to people who we want to attract to the region for lots of very good reasons.”
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