STAFF at Prestwick Airport could take industrial action after pay talks involving workers mostly employed in specialist services broke down.
Members of the Prospect union unanimously rejected the offer of a two per cent rise earlier this year and submitted a counter proposal mirroring the Scottish Government’s public-sector pay policy of rises up to three per cent.
However, the union said this was rejected by the airport’s board and staff could now be balloted on industrial action. Prestwick was bought by Scottish ministers in 2013 and has been supported by government loans.
Prospect negotiator David Avery said: “We are calling on Prestwick’s owners, the Scottish Government, to stop turning a blind eye to the running of the airport and to ensure that they meet the pay policy standards they promised public sector staff in the February Budget.”
Richard Hardy, the union’s national secretary for Scotland, said: “Paying the pay policy isn’t simply about toeing the line, it’s about sending a signal the airport wants to recruit and retain the key staff it needs to succeed. We will now consult members on the next steps including a possible strike ballot.”
Prestwick’s HR director, Sonia Rafferty, said: “As the business operates as a separate commercial entity at arm’s length to the Scottish Government, the two per cent wage increase reflects affordability.
“At the beginning of discussions, it was made clear that the business continues to face a number of financial challenges and that this was the maximum amount that could be given. As part of this year’s offer, we have also extended our no compulsory redundancy pledge for a further 12 months.
“In addition, we are paying the National Living Wage with a commitment to increase this to the Scottish Living Wage by 2020.
“We thank our workforce for their continued support and understanding and want to ensure our employees receive a fair and suitable remuneration package as they work hard to ensure that the business has a long-term sustainable future.”
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