After a 2% pay offer - 2.5% pay cut against inflation - fire-fighters and engineering staff in Highland airports in the T&G (Unite) union have decided to strike from July 30.
Starting July 30 a succession of 24hr strikes every week will affect airports across the Highlands and Islands from the largest in Inverness, which is expected to deal with several thousand holiday-makers and travellers at its most busiest time, to smaller airports in "Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick".
Some 131 fire-fighters will cease work and without emergency cover all planes will be grounded across the region.
Allegations have been made by union officials that whilst the management isn't moving to meet demands in negotiations, they in fact would be willing to pay more than the 2% planned were it not for a blanket (UK) government capping of public sector salaries.
They are the latest group of public sector workers to take action about this pay cut across the sector, following on the heels of postal workers and civil servants.
Comments