Pay boost for Highlands and Islands airports workers
- Wednesday 25 March 2026
Unite confirms 7.5 percent wage lift over two years across 11 airports
Unite the union can confirm that over 200 Unite members across the Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL) Group have accepted a new pay deal boosting jobs, pay and conditions.
The pay deal secured by Unite delivers a four per cent increase in 2025-26 backdated to April last year, followed by a 3.5 per cent increase over the next year from next month. The trade union has delivered a number of new allowances including unsocial working hours alongside a commitment to no compulsory redundancies.
Unite represents security staff, baggage handlers, ground crew along with those working in fire and rescue, security and administration.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Unite’s members across the Highlands and Islands airports have secured a boost to jobs, pay and conditions. It’s a good deal which will provide extra security and more money in the pockets of hundreds of our members.”
HIAL is a private limited company wholly-owned by the Scottish Government. The eleven airports across the HIAL Group are Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick.
Marc Jackson, Unite industrial officer said: “Unite is pleased to improve the pay and allowances our members get along with a commitment on no compulsory redundancies across HIAL. It’s deal which will improve the pay of workers based in rural and remote communities in Scotland.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact: Andrew Brady on 07810 157922 or andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org
Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members.