Disruption by 170 ICTS central search workers to hit World Cup and Commonwealth Games

Unite, Scotland’s leading aviation trade union, confirmed today (30 April) that ICTS central search members based at Glasgow airport are being balloted for strike action in a pay dispute. 

Around 170 ICTS workers have emphatically rejected an unacceptable pay offer from the company.

The ballot will open on 1 May and will close on 21 May. If the ballot is successful, then strike action could start at the peak of the summer holiday rush coinciding with the World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow.   

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has warned ICTS that our members at Glasgow airport deserve a better pay offer than what is currently on the table. ICTS is a highly profitable company that can fully afford to make a decent pay offer. The company’s cavalier attitude and failure to make a far pay offer has created this dispute.

"Unite will back our ICTS members every step of the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.” 

The ICTS workers deal with passengers directly in the security search areas and process them for flights. The workers also cover mobile patrols, control access posts, screen all deliveries and deal with emergency services. 

The parent group ICTS (UK) Limited recorded its latest annual accounts with Companies House in April, which show profits of £7.6m in 2025 up from £4.4m in the previous year.  

Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer said: “Unite has made it clear that there should be a far better pay offer which reflects the critical role our members perform at Glasgow airport. The reality is that the airport simply can’t operate without them.” 

“It is ICTS that is putting the travelling public at risk during an expected very busy summer due to the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.” 

ENDS

Notes to Editor 

For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922.

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members.