Business / HIAL workers reject ‘insulting’ pay offer
THE PAY rise proposed for staff working in airports in the Highlands and Islands has been described as “insulting” – with industrial action potentially on the horizon.
The union Unite will ballot its members for industrial action following the rejection of a five per cent pay offer.
The union highlighted that many of the Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) workers are based in rural areas, where the cost of living is higher.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “These workers provide a lifeline, connecting the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
“The work they do is vital in maintaining these communities. They should therefore expect and deserve a pay increase that reflects that.
“The cost of working in communities like this is higher than in many of our urban centres and the cost of living crisis is making this unaffordable.
“HIAL bosses must make a realistic pay offer to avoid escalating this into a full industrial dispute.”
Shauna Wright, Unite regional officer, added: “Our members provide a crucial role for the airport from firefighting and security to customer service, this pay award affects all our members across all grades and does nothing for the retention and the recruitment of staff on islands.
“Unite remain open to dialogue to seek a solution however all members deserve more and they deserve a pay that’s in line with the cost of living.”
HIAL’s managing director Inglis Lyon said the pay offer was affordable from “within our existing finances and maximised the parameters of the Scottish Government pay policy, and this was acknowledged by the trade unions”.
“Meetings were held on Friday, 28 October with the trade unions to explore further measures that the Company may be able to implement to enhance the offer, but these fell short of union expectations,” he said.
“However, we will remain in dialogue with union colleagues to try to reach a solution.”
The enhanced offer comprised of a five per cent basic pay award to all staff earning less that £80,000, and a four per cent basic pay award to all staff earning more that £80,000.
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