‘Runway to Success’ campaign takes-off for latest group of airport workers

 

Unite has secured another pay deal this time with Edinburgh Airport Limited, Scotland’s leading aviation union revealed today (19 June).

 

The union negotiated a pay increase of 6.8 per cent for around 275 workers employed by Edinburgh Airport Limited which operates the nation’s largest airport.

The pay increase is applicable from 1 January 2024 and this represents an 18.8 per cent increase in basic pay over the last two years.

Shift pay will also rise by 6.8 per cent and the overtime rate will increase for weekend work to double time from time and three quarters. There is also a commitment to review the working rotas in order to improve the work-life balance for the airport’s workers.

Previously workers had to wait a period of five years to receive maximum sick pay protections at the company. Under the deal, it will be reduced to three years. After the three year period, all workers will receive three months on full pay, then three months on half pay in any one period of 12 months.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s Runway to Success campaign across Scottish airports has well and truly taken off. This is another good deal for our members at Edinburgh airport. The message is clear to all airport workers, if you want better jobs, pay, and conditions then join Unite.”

Unite represents the overwhelming majority of the estimated 500 workers based at Edinburgh airport, which is controlled by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).

Edinburgh airport workers deal with passengers directly in airport security, terminal operations, search areas and process them for flights. The workers set to receive the pay increase also screen all deliveries, and deal with airside support services.

Mary Alexander, Scottish deputy secretary of Unite, added: “Unite has secured another significant pay deal for our members at Edinburgh Airport Limited which operates the airport. Hundreds of workers will now benefit from a string of better terms and conditions to their contracts including shift pay, access to the sick pay scheme along with a commitment to review the working rotas.”

Unite has clocked up a string of recent successes as part of its ‘Runway To Success’ campaign which is designed to establish standards beyond 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.

  • Union recognition agreement for workers employed by OCS based at Edinburgh airport.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The principal aims of the ‘Runway to Success’ campaign are: 

  • Remove zero hours, non-guaranteed hours, and minimum hours contracts across all Scottish airports

  • Real Living Wage ‘plus’ as basic hourly pay

  • Improve hourly rosters to deliver a better work and life balance

  • Extend trade union recognition and collective bargaining agreements with all companies based at Scottish airports

  • Restore conditions removed during Covid and the outsourcing of employment including sick pay, holidays, and shift premiums.

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.