Unite Union Negotiates Pay Increase for Edinburgh Airport Employees

Edinburgh Airport staff have secured a substantial pay deal, avoiding potential summer strikes and setting a new standard in Scotland's aviation industry.

The threat of summer strikes at Edinburgh Airport has been averted after more than 400 staff accepted a significant pay deal. This agreement comes on the heels of similar resolutions at Glasgow Airportalthough a strike ballot at Aberdeen Airport remains ongoing.

The Unite union successfully negotiated a two-year deal for workers directly employed by Edinburgh Airport, Scotland’s busiest airport. The agreement includes a 9.5% increase over two years, with a 5.5% or £1,800 raise this year, followed by a 4% rise or the RPI inflation rate plus 0.5% from January.

This deal also includes improvements to shift, sickness, and paternity pay for various roles, including engineers, managers, airport ambassadors, and airside support officers.

Negotiations and Resolutions Across Scottish Airports

Unite had initially announced on May 21 that staff had voted to strike, threatening disruption during major events like the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

However, negotiations continued, and strike dates were never announced. This pattern is common at Scottish airports, where pay disputes often resolve before industrial action.

The Glasgow Airport deal involved a two-year agreement for approximately 230 ICTS staff, including a 5% increase this year and the RPI inflation rate plus 1% in 2027. Meanwhile, around 160 ground services staff at Menzies Aviation secured a 4.4% rise backdated to January, with an additional 5-11.5% increase from July. These roles include dispatchers, allocators, airside agents, and controllers.

Aberdeen Airport: Mixed Resolutions and Ongoing Ballots

At Aberdeen Airporttwo pay disputes involving Unite members were settled. Approximately 70 workers directly employed by the airport received a 4.2% increaseincluding administrative staff, airfield operators, technicians, firefighters, and crew commanders. Another 70 ICTS employees agreed to a two-year deal with a 5% increase this year and the RPI inflation rate plus 1% in 2027. However, Unite members among ICTS HBS security staff are still being balloted for strike action after rejecting an “unacceptable” pay offer.

The successful negotiations at Edinburgh Airport highlight the power of collective action. Sharon GrahamUnite general secretary, emphasized the importance of workers standing firm to secure better deals. “Hundreds of Unite’s members employed at Edinburgh Airport stood firm to get a better deal. This result was only achieved by the workers being prepared to take strike action if necessary to get what they deserved. It’s another win for Unite in the aviation industry in Scotland,” she stated.

Carrie DonoghueUnite industrial officer, added, “Unite is pleased to have reached a good outcome for our members employed by the owners of Edinburgh Airport. The two-year pay deal will see a significant boost to basic pay, shift allowances, and wider working conditions.”