Unite resolves disputes with ICTS central search and Aberdeen Airport Limited workers
 
Unite, Scotland’s leading aviation union, can confirm that two groups of key workers based at Aberdeen airport have secured enhanced pay deals after the threat of strike action.
 
Approximately 70 workers employed by Aberdeen International Airport secured a 4.2 per cent pay deal in a one-year deal after supporting strike action in an industrial action ballot.
 
The workers to benefit from the pay deal include administrative staff, airfield operators, technicians, firefighters, and crew commanders. The airport owners made a profit of £12.1m in 2024.
 
The union can further confirm another pay dispute involving around 70 workers employed by ICTS at Aberdeen airport has also been resolved after workers voted to back an improved offer.
 
ICTS central search workers who deal with passengers directly in the security search areas and process them for flights at Aberdeen airport backed a two year pay deal. 
 
A five per cent increase in basic pay and shift allowances backdated to 1 January with a one-off bank holiday are included in this year's deal. Next year, the workers will receive the RPI inflation rate plus one per cent in basic and shift pay alongside a boost to terms and conditions from 1 January 2027.
 
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Aberdeen airport workers have secured good deals backed by the membership. The enhanced pay offers only came about due to the threat of strike action and our members being prepared to fight for a greatly improved pay deal.”
 
An industrial action ballot involving ICTS HBS security staff at Aberdeen airport remains open and will close on 17 June. No new pay offer has been put to the security staff since they rejected an unacceptable pay offer.
 
The parent group ICTS (UK) Limited recorded its latest annual accounts in April, which show profits of £7.6m in 2025 up from £4.4m in the previous year.
 
Unite industrial officer, Paula Buchan said: “Unite has positively resolved pay disputes with the owners of Aberdeen airport and ICTS central search. The pay deals provide extra income security for our members, and we are pleased these disputes are over.”
 
“There remains one dispute involving hold baggage security staff employed by ICTS. The threat of disruption to Aberdeen airport is still real unless an improved offer is tabled. The ball is in ICTS' court to bring this final dispute to an end."
 
ENDS
Notes to Editor 
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.