Basic wages to rise by 11.9 per cent for over 100 workers

 

Unite has secured another double digit pay deal this time with the OCS Group for workers based at Edinburgh Airport, Scotland’s leading aviation union, revealed today (8 July).

The union has successfully negotiated a basic pay increase of 11.9 per cent for over 100 workers employed at the nation’s largest airport.

Minimum hourly pay is rising from £10.90 to £12.20 per hour which is above the real living wage and will be applied from 1 January 2024. Double time pay on bank holidays has also been secured, while agents on permanent night shift fixed term contracts will receive an extra 50 pence per hour.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite continues to deliver for Scotland’s airport workers. The deal for our OCS members based at Edinburgh airport is another significant pay win. The message is clear to all airport workers, if you want better jobs, pay, and conditions then join Unite.”

In June, Unite confirmed that it had successfully negotiated a recognition agreement with OCS which delivered collective trade union bargaining rights. This formally enabled Unite for the first time to negotiate enhanced pay, terms and conditions for the workers. 

 

The agreement with the OCS Group covers workers who aid passengers with reduced mobility issues including assisting with wheelchairs and ambilift vehicles for travellers at the airport.

Mary Alexander, Scottish deputy secretary of Unite said: “The OCS wage deal ensures that over 100 workers will now benefit from a basic wage rise of 11.9 per cent and double time on bank holidays.”

“We have also secured a commitment by OCS at Edinburgh airport to work with Unite to improve the working environment and reduce the number of zero hours contracts. It’s a good deal which was overwhelmingly backed by our membership.”

Unite has clocked up a string of recent successes as part of its ‘Runway To Success’ campaign which is designed to establish standards above the legal minimums across Scottish airports.

This includes: 

  • 12 per cent basic increase in pay for Edinburgh Airport Services workers.

  • 10.9 per cent for OCS workers based at Glasgow airport.

  • 10 per cent pay rise for ABM workers at Glasgow airport.

  • 7.4 per cent for Menzies Aviation workers at Edinburgh airport and 6.8 per cent for their counterparts at Glasgow airport.

  • 6.8 per cent for around 275 workers employed by Edinburgh Airport Limited which operates the nation’s largest airport.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922.

Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Derek Thomson.